SP^ 



i4R6 



TZKTIE 







Oli 



Hints on the Selection, Purchase, and Gene- I 
ral Management of the Horse. 




How to avoid Disease and Save Money. 



WITH MANY USEFUL HINTS AND CAUTIONS TO BE 
NOTED AND REMEMBERED BY PURCHASERS, 



ISF 285 

R78 
Copy 1 



HA 



NEW YORK : 

:.£> COMPANY 
Ann Street, 



{LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 

t : qv^p i 

tm-P-J tarffiM Jfo } 

i $ . # 

I "f UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, f 






It 640 C- 

THE 



HORSEOWNERS 



COMPANION; 



OS, 



HINTS ON THE SELECTION, PURCHASE, AND GENERAL 
MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 



Sow to Avoid Disease and Save Money 



WITH MANY USEFUL HINTS AND CAUTIONS TO BE NOTED 
AND REMEMBERED BY PURCHASERS. 






$\ 



notice $ 

0^° 



NEW YOKE: 

HAPPY HOURS COMPANY 

S3 .A.:N":N" STREET. 

7JL 






Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1872, by 

HAPPY HOURS COMPANY, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Ik presenting this little treatise to the own- 
ers of horses, I am but carrying out the 
wishes of many excellent friends obtained 
throughout my professional career. To them 
I cannot sufficiently express the obligations 
which are felt for the willingness with which 
I have been allowed to test the accuracy of 
my statements in regard to feeding, as a means 
of preventing disease. 

The contents of the following pages are the 
results of long practical experience ; and have 
been written with a yiew to the benefit of 
persons not thoroughly practised in the proper 
management of horses, and to whom the 
knowledge now imparted may be useful. To 
men of business in particular, whose time is too 
much occupied to admit of leisure for much 
study, beyond their every-day pursuits, the 
present work may afford information not so eas- 
ily acquired in other forms. A few minutes de- 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

voted to the perusal of it will probably amply 
compensate them for their trouble, as the 
whole is comprised in a small compass. It 
will be found that the entire treatment of the 
horse — that is, the useful, or road horse — is 
fully considered in the subsequent pages. 
The publishers, also, are not ashamed to con- 
fess, that one part of their object has been to 
induce greater humanity than is usually prac- 
tised in the treatment of so noble an animal. 
But those who are not susceptible of the finer 
feelings of our nature, may be influenced by 
consideration of self-interest ; and it would 
not only evince humanity, but it would be a 
pecuniary gain if the owners of horses paid 
more attention than they usually do to that 
kindness of treatment which is dictated by 
Nature herself. 

In all ages, and in all nations the horse has 
been esteemed as one of the noblest and most 
valuable animals of the brute creation. It is 
unnecessary, for the object of the present 
work to make any particular allusion to the 
pride and admiration in which he was held 
in ancient Greece and Home, and indeed 



INTRODUCTION. V 

among every warlike people. Caligula, it is 
recorded, invested his horse with the dignity 
of a Consul. 

The Arabs are perhaps the best judges of 
horses, as well as the most considerate mas- 
ters of them, in the world* They set the 
highest estimation upon mares, a,nd are thor- 
oughly convinced that the value of the foal 
depends not so much on the sire as on the 
dam ; for which reason they refuse very large 
prices for mares of high-blood. It may also 
be observed that they trace the pedigree of a 
horse not through the sire, but through the 
dam. 

The value of horses mainly depends upon 
their soundness and capability for work. It 
is, therefore, of the utmost importance to keep 
them in the most healthy condition. Yet, this 
being universally allowed, it is a constant and 
general complaint that so few of these valua- 
ble animals are preserved in a proper state. 
But it is surprising that those who so com- 
plain do not perceive that the blame principally 
rests with themselves, as the remedy lies solely 
in their own hands, so far, at least, as any 



VI ISTTKODUCTIOK. 

remedy can be applied. There can be no 
doubt that persons who employ horses wish to 
get all the work they can from them, without 
decreasing their value ; but that they do not 
effect this desirable object is evident from the 
prevalence of the complaints made upon the 
subject. The general employers of horses, 
more particularly men of business and com- 
mercial men, seem to think that a knowledge 
of the horse is implanted within them by 
nature ; and this overweening confidence leads 
them into an infinity of errors, and prevents 
them reading what better-informed persons 
have said upon so important a topic. ISTor do 
such persons take even common precautions 
in the treatment of these animals, by attend- 
ing to experience or example ; but they trust 
the care and health of their horses to ostlers 
and others who have but a secondary interest 
in preserving them in good condition. 

Here, then, the reader may perhaps ask, 
What am I to do ? I take every possible care 
of my horse j he has abundant food j yet he is 
not what I could wish him. 

To correct erroneous opinions on this inter- 



INTRODUCTION. Vll 

esting question, to qualify horses to work 
with ease to themselves, and also to contribute 
to the pleasure of their owners, constitute the 
intent and object of this little volume. 

That horses ought to remain sound, and 
would do so, to a much later period of life 
than is the fact at present, will, it is hoped, be 
demonstrated. 



CONTENTS 



Introduction 


• • • 
111 


Management 


10 


Kinds of Horses 


14 


The Selection and Purchase of Horses 


18 


Size, Age, Pace and Temper 


29 


On Carriage 


35 


The Mouth 


37 


Management of the Feet of Horses 


39 


Exercise 


51 


Condition 


53 


Feeding 


56 


Stable Management 


83 


General Arrangement of Stables 


97 


The Causes of Disease, and its Prevention 100 


Horse Taming 


111 


Sending for the Veterinary Surgeon 


117 


Poultices and Fomentations 


118 


Mode of Administering Remedies 


120 


Recipes 


123 



THE 

HOESEO¥NEES ? COMPANION 



CHAPTER I. 
Management. 

g§|OME men seem to think their horses mere machines ; 

and they seldom study how to make the most of them. 

Brush off the dirt which offends the eye, or spoils the 
clothes, and give the animal a regular portion of food. 
Wheels must be greased, or the naves would burn, and the 
progress of the carriage stopped. So with horses ; they 
must be fed by the same rule as you grease carriage wheels, 
or they would in like manner be brought to a termination of 
their career. Why, then, so much apathy towards those 
four-footed servants who contribute largely to the pleasure 
of the rich, and are the means by which multitudes are in 
the habit of procuring their daily bread. 

In order to care for a horse properly, it is not necessary 



12 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 



that a man be thoroughly conversant with every part of the 
subject. By simple attention to the rules laid down in this 
volume, he may turn his horse to much better account, save 
himself much expense in the course of the year, get the ani- 
mal to do his work in a better manner, and with the pleas- 
ing reflection that he has also prevented the infliction of 
needless suffering. In fact, the reader will find, that he 
would seldom have a bad horse, if it were not for gross mis- 
management. Ignorance is the sole cause of the non dis- 
covery of the good qualities of the animal. 

In the first place, we may lay it down as an axiom that 
in all cases the best and wisest policy is to treat a horse 
with kindness and gentleness, and the same is true with 
regard to all animals given to us for our use, but the horse, 
in particular, should be an object of our especial regard. 
How many of the complaints under which he labors are the 
consequences of man's brutality ! His diseases are few, 
even in an artificial state, and those few are brought on by 
ill-treatment, or, in milder language, mismanagement. 
Yet there may be quite as much cruelty in the one case as 
the other, if the latter be not of the two the worst. 

What horses, for instance have to undergo such unremit- 
ting fatigue as those drawing loads ? And yet, they are as 
a class treated with a lack of consideration which reflects 
little credit upon the humanity of the owners ; who from 
ignorance or carelessness, fail to acquire a competent know- 
ledge of the best mode of treating them ? They know that 
horses have mouths to be fed, for this knowledge is forced 
upon them by the cost of their keep, and they know also 
that the mouth is useful as a place for the bit, without 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 13 

which they could not be ridden or driven, and this, generally 
speaking, is the full extent of the knowledge possessed by 
the class of persons alluded to of horses. To understand the 
quantities of solids or fluids they require for the preservation 
of health is scarcely to be expected of them ; some persons 
have a fanciful theory in favor of giving them drugs, both 
in their meat and water, in most of which cases, if the ani- 
mals could speak, they would say, " Throw physic to the 
dogs ;" others think that soapy, or dirty, filthy water, is 
better than the clearest, as they will drink more sparingly 
of it ; but horses are not likely, any more than human beings, 
to grow healthy upon poison, or to fatten upon filth. 

Never take the word of an ostler where the health of your 
horse is concerned, or that of the ostler's farrier, or veterin- 
ary surgeon ; for, without attempting to disparage respecta- 
ble men in either of those departments, it is notorious that 
there are many unworthy members of both, who do not 
scruple to participate in the dishonest gains of the rascally 
ostler. In case of necessity, always apply to some credita- 
ble person in the neighborhood to recommend you to a pro- 
fessional man of character ; but as prevention is better than 
cure, it is our intention in the sequel to p3int out the best 
means of avoiding the accidents and maladies to which 
horses in common use are liable. 

Mismanagement in any department is universally acknow 
ledo-ed to be the precursor of evil consequences, and one of 
the o-olden rules in our social economy is that which teaches 
how to recognise the one and avert the other. 

As things at present exist in the many places to which 
these remarks apply, one would be inclined to the opinion 



14: THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

that the study of system in the stable and cow-shed is un* 
worthy the time, trouble, attention, or altogether useless : 
hence the result ; valuable animals are left to the care of 
illiterate attendants, who prescribe for their wants and 
comforts under predominate ignorance. At one time they 
are fed with extravagance, and at another a nutritous meal 
is denied them. 

Veterinary surgeons in some districts can testify to the 
bulk of their cases being those which arise from indigestion, 
and the insurance papers of many a defunct society would 
afford doleful tales of sudden death from the same states, 
causing rupture of the stomach, intestines, or diaphragm, 
calculi (or stones), and incurable diabetes running into 
farcy and glanders. 

In ignorance of the nature of food, principles of feeding 
and management, the annual losses from indigestion and its 
consequences among horses and cattle are somewhat start- 
ling, and unfortunately too common. 

Notwithstanding this, all busy themselves in* searching 
for a cure j without going further to attempt a solution of the 
mystery, which may be interpreted by the principle of pre- 
vention. We thus go on in blindness and obstinacy, seeking 
after some brilliant theory, and in eager pursuit of that 
which is remote, neglect the highly profitable and easily 
deciphered lessons which, already pregnant with most ample 
information, are completly within the grasp. 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 15 



CHAPTER II. 
$tin&0 of ISjorses. 

|ITH these preliminary observations, we remark that 
Up!! horses may be described, generally under the following 
^ m ~*" denominations: 

The Road Horse. 

The Farmer's Horse. 

The Coach Horse. 

The Heavy Draught Horse, 

The Dray Horse. ' 

The Race Horse. 

The Pony. 

The road horse is the one to which the following pages 
have been chiefly dedicated ; we will therefore pass on to 

THE FARMER'S HORSE. 

The farmer's horse is one that has to undergo all sorts of 
drudgery, both for business and pleasure ; ridden or driven 
to market, or church, or on a visit to some rather distant 
neighbor, or sometimes lent to a friend to go anywhere. 
For this kind of horse, the best standard is reckoned about 
fifteen hands and two inches ; that is, higher than the road 



16 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

horse. An animal, with a shoulder thicker, lower, and not 
so slanting, as that in the roadster, is preferable for the 
collar ; and collar-work is that for which the famer's horse 
is chiefly destined. Horses for this purpose should be stout 
and compactly built, without being particularly heavy ; and 
if they are half-bred, meaning that they have some blood in 
their veins, so much the better. The farmer's horse requires 
both weight to push forward, and activity to get over the 
ground. 

Formerly there was a prepossession among farmers in 
favor of huge, bulky horses, but that has declined, and given 
way in a considerable measure, to more rational notions. 
What the farmer really requires is a horse of moderate size, 
but strong and active ; not one large in make and slow in 
progress. 

It cannot, however, be expected that horses used at the 
plough, or in draught, will be found the most agreeable 
saddle, or pleasure, horses ; but what does a small farmer 
want with a dashing steed ? If his horse will carry him to 
market or to church, and perform his week-day's work he 
ought to be satisfied. 

A farmer, not in an extensive way, should always prefer 
a mare to a gelding. There is more work to be obtained in 
the end, with the former than the latter ; besides there is 
advantage to be derived from her breeding ; and she may be 
rendered useful while breeding, if worked moderately. 

THE COACH-HORSE. 

The coach-horse has improved with the refinement of the 
times. He is not now the same vulgar animal he was wont 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 17 

to be in bygone days. He has cast off his old-fashione'p 
stiff-looking coat, and mounted one of modern gentility. 
Formerly he was one of the most clumsy, unmannerly, ill- 
begotten, mishapen, animals in the world ; and just as well 
qualified to be harnessed to a dray as to a carriage. 

The principle points of the coach-horse are those which 
qualify him for hard work and endurance ; a deep and well 
proportioned body, bone under the knee ; substance in its 
right place, and sound, open, tough feet. 

THE HEAVY DRAUGHT-HORSE. 

Horses of this denomination should stand from fifteen to 
sixteen hands high ; should be large-headed ; low-should- 
ered ; and thick on the top ; deep and round-chested ; long- 
backed ; high in the croup ; large and strong in the quarters ; 
full in the flanks, round in the legs, and short in the pasterns. 

THE DRAY-HORSE. 

This kind of horse should have a broad breast, with thick 
and upright shoulders ; a low forehand, deep and round 
barrel ; loins broad and high ; ample quarters ; thick fore- 
arms and thighs ; short legs, round hoofs, broad at the heels, 
and not too flat in the soles. They always know what they 
are about, are corrected easily, and are perfectly docile. 

The dray horses in the metropolis, and all large towns 
are of inestimable importance. The cart-horse hast his pecu- 
liarity ; he knows the extent of his powers, and failing to 
accomplish the task imposed upon him, no exercise of the 
whip, or any other method of spurring him on, will succeed 
in making him exert his strength, and strain his muscles, in 
vain. 



18 THE HORSE OWNERS' COMPANION. 



THE RACE HORSE. 

It has been stated, upon good authority, that the race- 
horse is not an aboriginal of Europe, but that it derives its 
breed from the warmer climes of Asia. The English 
race-horse in blood is nearly allied to the true Arabian 
courser, but is much larger, and is not to be surpassed by 
any coursers in the world. Take a thorough-bred English 
racer, and whether he is placed on the burning plains of 
India or in the frigid regions of the north, it will be found 
that he has a spirit, a speed, and a courage, unequalled by 
any other quadruped of the same species in the world. It 
is related, that an ordinary racer has been known to go at 
the rate of a mile in less than two minutes ; but there have 
been instances of horses running nearly a mile in one min- 
ute. 

The form of the head of the English racer resembles that 
of the Arabian. The neck is beautifully arched (one of the 
greatest beauties in the horse ;) his shoulders are oblique 
and lengthened ; his hind legs are well proportioned ; his 
quarters ample and muscular ; his whole legs, from the knee 
downwards, sufficiently graduated, 

"Small by degrees and beautifully less." 

He must be well bred. The chief points to be regarded 
in his make are that he should have plenty of haunch ; be 
well ribbed, or tight and trim built ; of a full chest with good 
hams, and a nose that will go into a quart pot. He is the 
field marshal of his kind, and in the extent of his spirit and 
courage, may well be considered the paragon among ani- 
mals. 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 19 

Thorouffh-bred is a term employed to indicate the descent 
of a horse from the Eastern, or Arabian courser ; but there 
can be no doubt that the English racer has been much im- 
proved by the commixture of his blood with that of Asia. 
The horses of the first blood, remarks a good judge, or such 
as are the nearest possible to the Eastern stock, are— those 
immediately produced from an Arabian or Barbary stallion 
with an English mare, which has been already crossed with 
a Barb or Arabian steed in the first degree. 

THE PONT. 

Ponies are horses in minature and therefore the treatment 
of animals of mature growth, is applicable to those of 
smaller size. The less may be consequently said upon this 
branch of the subject. 

The sheltie is the most diminutive of the breed, and seems 
totally distinct from all others. In height it varies from 
seven and a half hands, and is probably one of the earliest 
breeds introduced into Great Britain. 



CHAPTER III. 
ftt)£ Selection onu Purchase of Worses. 

IHE arduous nature of the various conditions which at. 
, tend the selection and purchase of horses, is generally 
S^ understood and acknowledged even by those of little 



20 THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 

experience. There is no subject upon which buyers so 
often feel the greatest need of assistance and advice, and, at 
the same time, where greater difficulty exists in rendering 
these profitable and acceptable. Circumstances may arise, 
phases previously hidden may appear, or gratuitous inter- 
ference disturb the aspect of affairs, and thus begin all the 
troubles and vexations which too commonly supplement the 
efforts of those in search of a horse. 

The tricks of low and disreputable dealers render the pro- 
cess at once tedious, harassing, and difficult ; while the sub- 
sequent ordeal may be fairly represented as being irremedi- 
able as well as inevitable. Purchasers at fairs are greatly 
exposed to the practices of such rascals, who never fail to 
secure both animal and money in the end, and thus provide 
the means of constantly possessing a trap wherein unsus- 
pecting persons easily fall. 

Some years ago a hard-working honest man, well known 
to the writer, attended a fair for the purchase of a cart-horse. 
He was by no means a bad judge of the physical characters 
required in the animal sought, and soon his eyes fell upon 
one in which was concentrated, to all appearance, the qual- 
ities so essential for the purposes. Price being asked, and 
the animal shown through various evolutions, no objection 
was found. Accordingly a purchase was made and the 
horse led away. 

The new owner had not proceeded far before a stranger, 
to him at least, stepped up and offered a small sum for the 
horse, adding, "You'll not like to take him into your stable 
as he's ' glandered.' " And thus he continued to pester the 
poor fellow, while others privy to the game joined at various 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANIOtf. 



21 



stages on the road, and kept up the spirit which was to se- 
cure again their prize. 

Upon examination the animal was found to be a most 
confirmed roarer — in the language of the dealers, said "to 
have the bellans" — and had been drugged in order to cause 
the defect to pass unobserved. 

Upon another occasion a merchant purchased a very eligi- 
ble looking animal for his cart, giving rather a high sum to 
a person who represented himself as a well-to-do farmer in 
the neighborhood. A warranty of soundness was drawn up 
by the vendor, signed and transferred at the same time, and 
a groom removed the horse to his master's stables. For 
days several men — of course members of the gang — lingered 
about the premises of the merchant, offering various small 
sums, declaring the animal to be affected with glanders. 
The merchant took no notice for some time, but at length 
said he was very glad he had obtained such an animal, as a 
friend of his wished to have him, in order to catch the dupes 
at fairs. This spurred up the gang, who, rather than lose their 
profitable horse, actually purchased him back again at a sum 
very little below the original price. This animal was found 
to be affected with a chronic discharge from one of the nos- 
trils, which had been arrested during the purchase by a 
piece of tow pressed up the passage for the purpose. 

These tricks are very commonly practised, and suffer 
modification in order to render the end more easy of accom- 
plishment. A horse but slightly lame in a forefoot is 
"beaned." 

This consists in paring thin the sole of the opposite fore- 
foot near the toe, and replacing the shoe, having first put a 



22 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

small pebble beneath it. It has the effect of rendering the 
action of both fore legs nearer alike, and if properly done 
succeeds in causing animals to change hands frequently. 

Another species of fraud consists in filing down the wear- 
ing surface of the front or incisor teeth of old horses, and 
graving hollows to resemble those of young teeth. This is 
called "bishoping," but by those who study the form and 
angularity of the teeth, as well as the varied changes which 
they undergo throughout advancing age, the trick is easily 
detected. Young horses are also practised upon, in order 
to palm them off at a higher price as being four or five years 
old. 

Many breeders who aim at respectability are foolishly 
tempted to carry out this fraud, which consists iu extract- 
ing the corner, and sometimes the middle incisor teeth. 
At best it is but a very clumsy and barbarous plan, and 
signally fails to produce the appearances desired. 

The signs of age are otherwise dealt with, in order if pos- 
sible to obliterate them. The measures, however, seldom 
succeed before a practised eye. In animals of great age, 
large depressions or hollows are found above the eyes, and 
horse-copers prick through the skin and blow in air, as but- 
chers inflate a carcass. For a time the hollows disappear, 
but are seen again when the air is absorbed or has escaped. 

White places, such as a star, stripe, or blaze in the face, 
white heels or fetlocks, and patches of white hair which are 
found on the knees and other parts indicating previous dam- 
age to the skin, are painted and dyed with colored solutions. 
This' is recognized by the different shades employed and dis- 
similarity of color to that of the hair over the rest of the 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 23 

body. Besides, it is usually found to wash off or gradually 
disappear with subsequent growth of hair. 

Animals affected with broken wind are dosed with shot 
and fat, under the false belief that the former by actual 
weight causes the stomach to "hang away from the lungs," 
and the latter "lubricates the air-passages. " Neither, how- 
ever, succeed with the practised veterinarian. The dupes 
who suffer from these frauds are usually men who rely up- 
on the so-called judgement of one representing himself as 
a friend, and who contrives to come upon the scene at the 
moment when his opinion has greatest weight. Under 
these circumstances, if the purchaser misses an anim;; 1 
which is either "broken-winded," "bishoped," "gypped," 
"puffed," "blaundered," or has the "bellans," he may have 
secured a more worthless prize in the shape of a dangerous 
brute that will shy at everything on the road, kick and bite, 
plunge and rear or run away, after the passions are relieved 
of the powerful drugs which have been used. Otherwise 
he obtains one lame in the back, called by the rogues "a 
kidney dropper," or another having a nervous affection and 
known by the term "shiverer." 

Being in want of several heavy draught horses upon one 
occasion, I presented myself at the stables of a certain dealer 
and made known my wants, but did not discover my pro- 
fession to him. "All right, sir," said he , "I have just your 
sort," and addressing his satellite, "I say, Bill, bring out 
them 'ere cart 'osses in the little stable. "Look there, sir," 
he began, as the creature was being led out of the doorway, 
"you never put a collar on.sech a piece o' stuff in all your 
born days. Talk o' pullin, sir, why I never had sech a 



24 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

'oss to pull. I have been a dealer off an' on for the last 
forty years, an' I don't know as I've had such a piece of 
mettle. Put him alongside the wall, Bill, wo ho, now ! 
There ! look at his legs, sir ! sech pints for a cart 'oss ! why 
he's like waxwork itself! talk about simmertery, did you 
ever see sech as that? I'm blessed if I ever seed sech a 
splendid carcass on sech strapping lims, an', lor bless you 
the money's nothink. See him trot, sir ? why, he moves like 
a pony. Now, Bill, where's your ginger? look alive, my 
boy, don't keep the gentleman waiting." 

"Excuse me, sir," I remarked, "you will have the good- 
ness to spare the animal the torture about to be inflicted ; it 
affords me no gratification, it will not enhance him one 
atom in my estimation, and let him return to the stall, as 
his qualities are not suitable for my purpose." 

Later in the day several friends, at my request, called 
upon the dealer and inquired for animals of the kind. All 
that I had seen were brought out, and upon each occasion 
declared as before sound and immaculate. 

To say there are no honest horse'dealers would be a gross 
calumny, but I must express my suspicion that many are so 
accustomed to chant the praises of sound animals — that is, 
sound to the best of their knowledge and belief — that one 
may ascribe such a mistake as just related to a lapsus 
liuguce. We must therefore look over it accordingly, and 
of course at the same time the animals upon which such 
vile praise has been bestowed. 

Amongst the defects which are found to lessen the value 
of horses as well as their usefulness, are diseases of the 
eyes. An ordinary observer may regard these organs as 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 25 

perfectly sound, and their appearances justifying purchase, 
but alas ! finds the animal either suffering from impared 
vision, or, may be, totally blind. In such cases the ears 
will be observed to be carried forward, and their move- 
ments are exceedingly rapid, and the eyes staring, the 
central opening or pupil being wider than in health, and 
color of the organ probably being blue or yellow. Other con- 
ditions are present, which however are only to be detected by 
those conversant with the different structures of the organs. 
Chronic cough, disease of the lungs and heart, stomach, 
liver, etc., now and then is found to be present. Malfor- 
mations, the result of accident or vicious propensity, may 
be detected ; or the beast may be a crib-eater, or wind- 
sucker, washy, and a bad doer, no matter what he gets to 
eat. Whatever may be his qualities at work, in the stable 
he may be a perfect demon, or he may unite the kicker at 
work, with the "jibber," or one that will not draw. 

Another may be as gentle and docile as a lamb in the 
stable, quiet in harness or under the saddle, and capable of 
doing the highest rate of speed with action and grace un- 
paralelled, but the pleasure of sitting behind such a creature 
is marred by the fact that on reaching the stable the appe- 
tite is gone. The animal is overdone ; and be careful as 
you will, the scene recurs after each journey, and is some- 
times supplemented by irritation of the bowels, colic, etc. 

Several clays are passed before the animal is pronounced 
safe for work, or still further cause for disatisfaction appears 
in a variety of ways ; and no other conclusion is justifiable, 
than that the animal has been sold on account af these faults. 



26 THE HORSEOWNERs' COMPANION. 

He is sold again quickly if death does not prevent the op- 
portunity. 

In the multitude of conditions which render horseflesh (in 
a state of animation, not as chevaline a la mode) such a 
ticklish commodity, one cannot but be surprised at the few 
opportunities there are to avoid the disagreeable conse- 
quences. Many purchasers, relying upon their judgement 
alone, make fearful work. They know nothing of the 
nature, form, or. habits of the animal they seek, and conse- 
quently become victims. To purchase horses in a profit- 
able manner requires much tact and judgement. 

Bribery in horse-dealing. — Like horse-racing, horse-deal- 
ing practice is carried on more for the emolument derived, 
than for any desire always to destribute a good and serviceable 
breed of horses. Many patronize the turf under a mistaken 
idea that present systems improve our breed of horses, but 
by far the majority have personal interests only to serve. 
Horse-dealing often assumes the latter in the blackest dye. 
Upon the turf, races, horses, riders, and owners are sold, 
and in the trial ground of many dealers the like also occurs. 

Bribery is one of the greatest banes which waits almost 
upon every transaction in reference to horses. They can- 
not be shod, physicked, sold, nor exchanged, but a host of 
parasites hover round, "for wheresoever the carcass is, 
there will the eagles be gathered together." If there were 
no receivers of bribes, there would be no one found to offer 
them. 

Warranty. — By some there is entertained a great but 
fancied security in a warranty. Half that are given are but 
as waste paper. Many cases are on record which proves 



THE HORSEOWNERs' COMPANION. 27 

this : one will suffice, A warranty of soundness had been 
given with a horse having spavins and side-bones, and there 
were not wanting witnesses who would swear no such mor- 
bid conditions existed. A law case followed, but as usual, 
he who won, actually lost. The defendant, although guilty 
and convicted, was not worth the paper upon which the 
summons was printed, and a poor widow w^as doubly a loser 
in consequence. 

Certificates of Soundness. — A very common mistake oc- 
cures with many when purchasing horses ; that is, to seek 
a veterinary surgeon's opinion after the contract is com- 
pleted. This does not always occur only with low-priced 
animals, but frequently with those of high value. They 
are examined and found defective, but there is no help in 
many cases, and the affair amounts to so much money ab- 
solutely thrown away. Purchasers who desire a profes- 
sional opinion upon the soundness of horses should always 
obtain it before the animal becomes their property. The 
proceeding is advantageous in many ways, and much trouble 
and petty annoyance is avoided. 

The certificate given by the professional man proves as 
powerful as a warranty ; because in the event of unsound- 
ness, the dealer cannot sell his horse. In case the animal 
is sound, the purchaser receives an assurance to the effect, 
and nothing further is needed, as the whole thing hinges 
upon the question. 

PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED. 

The intending purchaser of a horse has a difficult task 
before him, and will do well, if he be no judge of horses, to 



28 THE horseowner's companion. 

consult a friend who really understands* the matter, and act 
by the advice of that Jidus Achates. Let it be remembered, 
however, that, in the matter of the purchase of horses, there 
is frequently not wisdom, but bewilderment, in a multitude 
of councillors ; and, above all things, are to be avoided the 
ex-par te statements and strictures of grooms, who are fre- 
quently glad to give themselves airs of wisdom, aud to ob- 
tain a credit to which they are not entitled, by pretending 
to discover in a horse blemishes, faults, and vices, which 
have no existence save in their own imaginations. Not un- 
frequently, also, people of this class levy contributions upon 
horsedealers, in guise of commission, and their opinion is 
not a little influenced by the manner in which their applic- 
ation for blackmail may have been received. Therefore, a 
commercial or professional man, in buying a horse should be 
content to rely on his own judgment or on that of one com- 
petent friend, and not allow himself to be swayed by "every 
wind of doctrine." 

Above all things the purchaser of a horse should avoid 
that pernicious system of bargain-hunting — that insatiable 
desire to get more than money's worth for money — that al- 
most invariably ends with disappointment and discomfiture 
in the purchase of horses, and in every other transaction 
on which it is brought to bear. The persons who crowd 
the newspapers with advertisements of horses about to be 
sold at ruinous sacrifices are, in ninety-nine cases out of a 
hundred, small dealers of loose principles, practising on the 
credulity and weakness of the unwary. A good horse will 
fetch his priee like any other saleable commodity ; and it is 
not to be supposed that sharp dea'ars, accustomed to trans- 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION, 



29 



actions in horseflesh, are ignorant of the best quarters in 
which to effect a sale, and of the price a horse ought to bring. 
The only conclusion, therefore, at which we can arrive is, 
that the horse vaunted as "going at a ruinous sacrifice, " 
are not what they are described to be ; for, were they really 
valuable animals, there is no earthly reason why the said 
ruinous sacrifice should be submitted to. 

The principal points to be attended to in selecting a horse 
are temper, good formation, and spirit ; and if soundness, 
you can select an animal with all these essential qualities 
combined, you may rest assured that you are in possession 
of an invaluable animal. For whatever purpose you require 
a horse, always see that he can perform it correctly before 
you strike a bargain, and, if convenient, ride or drive him 
yourself. It is always best to have a trial prior to purchase. 

Consider well for what work you intend him. If you 
want him for two or more purposes, judge of his qualities 
with reference to the most, important. One caution we must 
particularly impress upon the buyer namely, not to expect too 
much from his horse at first. When a purchaser has dis- 
covered that he has bought a horse which he believes will 
not suit him, the. best thing he can do is to impart the dis- 
covery to the one who sold him the animal, and to nobody 
else. If he has indeed made a mistake he must be prepared 
to pay for it, but he must not be in too great a hurry to 
come to that conclusion, for good grooming, good food, and 
plenty of fresh air and exercise would probably make the 
animal in time all that his purchaser could desire. 



30 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 



CHAPTER IV. 
@ i 3 e, & g e , $ a c £ autr &empzx. 

^PftORSES for the road should never be under fourteen 
^I|| hands high, rarely less than fourteen and a half, and 
^^never above sixteen. As a general rule fifteen hands 
and a half should be the extent. If your horse be required 
to draw a light wagon without much incumbrance he may 
be small and the better for being three parts blood. Where 
there is more weight to contend against, you must choose a 
heavier horse. Bear in mind that, as a rule, there must al- 
ways be weight to contend with weight. A heavy animal, 
by merely throwing his bulk against the collar, materially 
assists in moving his load, while the lighter one, if over- 
weighted, has all to do by muscular power, which soon be- 
comes exhausted ; for in the latter case, the horse is con- 
tinually straining to effect by violence that which in the for- 
mer is accomplished by weight only. Otherwise, give each 
horse his burthen in proportion to his weight, and the blood 
horse would kill the other in a very short time. For the 
heavier loads, therefore, speed and breed must be abandoned 
for weight ; and the horse must have the round arched neck, 
large rotund barrel (or body) and rounded hind quarters. 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 31 



AGE. 



Under this head much prejudice exists and many false 
notions prevail. One person supposes that if he buys a 
horse when he is youug, it must last him so much the longer 
than if he had bought him at a more advanced age. Others, 
again, imagine that having purchased a young horse, they 
are not likely to be serious losers by him, if they sell him 
again while the mark remains in his mouth. This may be 
all very well with those who have more horses than they 
can possibly exercise, and which are, therefore, unused to. 
a day's work. 

Now, the horse must be from seven to eight years old to 
put him upon a par with a man of twenty-one. Yet people 
are so misjudging that they imagine the horse is better cal- 
culated for hard work, before than after the age mentioned. 
If experience could teach them, they might readily perceive 
the younger the horse is, the sooner he will be strained and 
worn out by being overtasked. Where the work is light 
(carrying no heavy loads), and the stay frequent, at places 
no great distances apart, and provided you drive moderately, 
a six year old horse may suit your purpose ; that is, if you 
are particularly anxious to have a mark in his mouth ; 
if not, one of seven or eight would be preferable. In cases 
where the loads carried are light, and you do not often rest 
any length of time on your route, or if your vehicle is heavy 
and you do not drive at a very moderate pace, never choose 
a horse under eight years old, and then he will last you 
longer and serve you better than any young one. Stage- 



32 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

coach proprietors, and all great dealers in horses, do not con- 
sider them aged until after their sixteenth year ; and pro- 
vided they have not been subject to ill-usage, they will be 
found sound and in good condition long after that period. 

It must nevertheless be admitted, that horses may also be 
too old ; but so long as they are sound upon their legs and 
keep up their condition, they are always better suited for 
hard work than young ones. 

Up to a certain number of years a horse's age may be de- 
tected by examining his mouth. Thus, at the age of five 
years, his teeth will be disposed in the following order : — In 
the front of his mouth are six incisor, or cutting teeth, in 
each jaw ; next to these two canine, or tearing teeth, in 
each jaw ; and at the back of his mouth, twelve molar, or 
grinding teeth, in each jaw ; in all forty. 

In the centre of each incisor tooth appears, when the 
horse has attained the age of five years, a small cavity with 
a dark mark ; and by this mark the experienced purchaser 
knows that the horse is at least five years old. The marks 
themselves vary with the horse's age ; at six years the dark 
mark in the front incisors will have grown up and become 
of the same white color as the outer walls or edges ; when 
the horse is seven years old, four of the middle teeth are 
filled up. In another year, they are all level and white ; 
and the wearing down of the canine teeth also gives token 
of the advancing age of the horse. In some cases, the 
marks in the upper jaw last a few months longer. 

From the fact that some horses do not show their age 
except in the teeth, has arisen, among unprincipled dealers 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 33 

and stablemen, the reprehensible and cruel practice of 
"bishoping," already alluded to. 



PACE, 



"It is the pace that kills," observed Lord Forrester, and 
all who are obliged to keep horses for their livelihood, would 
do well to bear this maxim in mind ; and also to r e member 
that the pace which is slow for one horse, is fast for an- 
other, and vice versa. 

Should a person have a horse capable of performing six- 
teen miles within the hour, still from eight to nine would be 
quite enough to work him as a general pace. If, however, 
you wish to keep up his full pace, you may put him to his 
speed for a few yards occasionally ; but vain would be the 
hope, with daily hard wear and tear, to keep him to that 
pace for a constancy. Make your paces moderate according 
to the utmost speed of your horse, and agreeing with the 
weight you require him to draw, and with regard to the dis- 
tance you may have to travel daily. But when you buy an 
aged horse, the best plan is to leave to himself the choice 
of his pace ; and he will then adopt the one he can endure 
the longest. Put him out of his own course, and you soon 
tire him. 

There is yet another reason, and an important one, for se- 
lecting old horses, they know their business, and will do it pro- 
perly if left to themselves, while two young horses (a master 
not used to horses, and a horse not used to work), coming 
in contact on the road, are very likely to be productive of an 
accident, from each being equally ignorant of the meaning 



34 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

and intentions of the other. Who would set the blind to 
lead the blind ? Many serious accidents are to be attributed 
to the cause now assigned. Some men are very fond of 
racing on the road, priding themselves on their horse's 
mettle. This is, to say the least of it, a very absurd and 
dangerous practice. Now, the top of any horse's pace must 
be his utmost speed, whether it be six or sixteen miles per 
hour ; and if your horse can do only the six, and you keep 
him on at that rate the one hour through, at the end of that 
time he will have performed a task as great and nearly as 
distressing to himself, as another horse that has accomplishd 
the sixteen miles in the same period. It may perhaps be 
said that six miles an hour is an exceedingly slow pace for 
the speed of a horse's trot ; but the object of this argument 
is to show the absurdity of supposing that horses can go be- 
yond a certain or natural pace, for any distance, without be- 
ing distressed, and consequently injured. All beyond this is 
artificial, as any rate of speed must be that requires par- 
ticular attention or training to accomplish it. The horse 
that does the sixteen miles after so much care and prepar- 
ation might have done nine or ten without any such means 
having been used, and with ease to himself. The latter, 
then, would be his natural pace, and he should not have 
been forced beyond it. 

Horses that can be pushed to ten miles as their utmost 
pace, without training, would do from seven to eight as their 
natural pace. They ought not then to be urged beyond this 
as their customary rate, at which they will continue to make 
ordinary journeys, day after day for a long time, without 
losing their condition, or with much injury to their constitu? 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 35 

tion, though requiring that attention to be hereafter recom- 
mended. 

The observations just made on the artificial and natural 
paces of horses, are intended as a guide to those who use 
them under seven and eight years old. After that age, they 
generally acquire an uniform pace, which is their natural 
one, at which they will continue a long period, aud perform 
their work comfortably. Put them out of this pace, and 
they soon begin to show fatigue, in comparison with their 
strength and vigor when left to themselves. Yet even 
under mismanagement, they will beat younger horses, if the 
latter have been equally subject to ill-treatment. 

Should you meet with a horse of the age required for 
your purpose, with his legs and feet in good order, but his 
paces uncertain, it is a proof that he has not been in respect- 
able hands, and that his owner was no judge of horses. You 
have, therefore, to train him into his regular paces, and in 
so doing be careful to observe the foregoing rules. Old 
horses with this irregularity of pace must be examined with 
more than ordinary caution, as there is the greater chance of 
their being unsound. 

TEMPER. 

Avoid a dull horse for the road. There cannot be a 
greater annoyance than to find a horse rather inclined to 
stop than to proceed ; and to be always applying the whip 
to the sluggish animal is not only absolute drudgery, but it 
makes him daily more stubborn and indifferent to the lash. 
Vicious horses should also be particularly avoided for the 



36 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

road, a kicker may damage your vehicle and detain you 
some time to get it repaired ; to say nothing of your own 
personal risk. As a precautionary measure, it is prudent 
always to use a kicking strap, even with horses that have 
hitherto shown no disposition to kick. Nor can persons 
who are obliged to go occasionally into strange stables, 
where there is a number of horses, be too cautious in 
guarding themselves from the effect of vice in some of 
these animals. It is necessary very often for per- 
sons to go into the stable to look to the con- 
dition of their own horses, and without due care it is 
possible they may receive at one time or other an ugly 
kick or bite from some horse with which they are unac- 
quainted. 



CHAPTER V 



© u Carriage . 



use never buy a high stepper. It is erroneous to 
|p I imagine that safety depends on this ; so much so, that 



r 



I 

^ J all tumble-down and stumbling brutes usually step 
high, while the daisy-cutter, or horse that would kick a six- 
pence before him rarely falls. Both are evils as extreme, 
and, therefore, as in other cases, the medium is the best 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 37 

rule. The horse that unnecessarily lifts his feet too high 
batters them in treading, producing inflamation, besides 
fatiguing and wearing himself out by overstraining his 
muscles. The daisy-cutter is liable to a degree of inflam- 
ation about the feet, causing him to go lower than he would 
naturally, in order to lessen the concussion of his feet 
with the ground and prevent the pain of lifting his legs. 
With sound horses, a practised judge would in time 
make them step as high as he pleased ; but all this lofty 
action is at best but artificial and only tends to tire and 
jade the animal. 

These remarks will also serve to show, as in our 
observations on the pace of the horse, that only a cer- 
tain degree of exertion can be used with impunity ; or 
the capability of repeating such muscular efforts at 
short intervals would be impossible without serious ii> 
jury. Nor can what has been already said, in a preceeding 
page, be too often or too earnestly impressed on all persons 
entrusted with the care of horses, who appreciate their use- 
fulness, or who would preserve their value. Leave the 
action of the horse to himself, or, in other words, to nature. 
When you are going a journey, care not how the horse 
carries himself, so that he does but carry you. When you 
have time to play with your horses is the time to attend to 
the animal's carriage. 



33 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 




CHAPTER VI. 

®I)e Monti). 

|UCH of the satisfaction which a horse is capable of 
IJJII affording his master, depends upon the way in which 
the latter manages his mouth. As the lasting 
qualities of the horse, as well as his temper, appetite and 
endurance ; the safety of life and limb, all depend in a great 
measure upon judicious treatment in this important respect, 
no apology is necessary for offering a few observations on 
the subject. 

With regard to making the mouth of a horse, or teaching 
him anything new, or improving his paces, the first thing to 
be observed is, that he must be fresh, and only taken out of 
the stable for a short time at every lesson, while being 
taught and until he is completely fixed in that lesson, or all 
the labor will be in vain. It is the mode of teaching them 
that makes horses which carry themselves well, valuable ; 
and because there are few qualified to teach and still fewer 
to use them judiciously afterwards : but if once set by a good 
hand and accustomed to a good jockey, it will be long before 
they lose the habits they have been taught. But if only 
recently set, and then put to hard work, under an inferior 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 39 

hand, their good carriage will speedily vanish. This is also 
another reason, in addition to those already adduced, for 
preferring aged horses — the age recommeded for work — as 
the carriage they have at that time they will probably con- 
tinue to retain, unless dreadfully overworked indeed, or 
used in a way contrary to nature, instead of being left, as 
recommended, as much as possible to themselves ; for the 
best carriage in the world may be easily spoiled. 

First, then, as you cannot accommodate your hand to 
the horse's mouth, nor are able to make his mouth acquainted 
with your hand, furnish him with a bit in which he can go 
comfortably ; then let him keep on at his natural pace % never 
urging him forward, except you find him coming within 
your hand : that is, if he keeps himself from letting you feel 
that he is touching the bit, do not make him press hard up- 
on it, as by so doing he would be used up. To urge him 
to pull one or two pounds at your hand is pull enough. 
Keep in mind the necessity of a steady rein, just bearing 
sufficiently upon his mouth to make him sensible of control. 
Never jerk a horse's mouth or flap him on the back with 
the reins. 



40 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 



CHAPTEK VII. 
Jttattagjetnettt of tt)£ £tti of tyox&ts. 

JAFOSSE, a celebrated French veterinarian, said "Pas 
de pied, pas de ChevaL" which is, being interpreted, 
u «No foot, no horse." To pre serve the foot is to main- 
tain the capabilities of the animal in a remarkable manner. 
Its anatomical structure is of the most wonderful character, 
and suggests the advisibjlity of greater respect than is usually 
paid to that important part. 

The feet of the horse are of the utmost consequence, as 
on the state of these his value in a great measure depends. 
He should not only have a good foot for the present, but 
one likely to stand all the beating, battering, pricking, and 
bruising to which it is exposed on our stony roads at almost 
every step. Here is another cause of wonder, that we have 
not more lame horses than we have, particularly as most 
lamenesses are produced by concussion. Nature, however, 
has wisely ordained a provision to guard the animal crea- 
tion from numerous injuries to which it would otherwise be 
liable ; and so she has in the present instance. The horse 
bred in high and dry situations, in which the soil is of a 
hard, stony, or rocky description, is framed with a strong 
obdurate hoof, very subject to contraction. This, then, is the 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 41 

foot best adapted for the purposes of the road. But nature 
intended that these animals should go over the ground in 
their own way, and that when they found one pace hurt 
their feet, they should be at liberty to change it for another ; 
or that if their feet became bruised, or over-heated, they 
should find no impediment in quitting the rugged and sharp 
path for the cool and velvet grass. But man has arbitrarily 
though necessarily, reversed the benevolent design of nature. 
It is, perhaps, superfluous to enquire how road horses are 
now generally treated ; but in an essay expressly written on 
the subject, nothing growing out of it of inrerest should be 
omitted. In the first place, they are shod with iron shoes, 
which are not only conductors, but also retainers, of heat. 
Next, instead of allowing them to choose their own paces 
on each particular piece of road, those paces are chosen for 
them ; and not only so, but likewise the road itself, which, 
perhaps, neither man nor horse would have voluntary select- 
ed with reference to the animals feet. 

If, however, there be a remedy for this, or other evils, re- 
lating to the horse, it behoves us to adopt it, in gratitude 
for the many services rendered to us by that useful animal. 
We ought to save him, not only all the pain we can, but as 
much as possible of inconvenience. This we have the 
means of doing to a considerable extent in the particular 
case before us, and the mode of relief is pointed out by the 
horse itself, when in a state of nature. Having in that state 
travelled over hot dry ground, some distance, he will stand 
with his feet for a short period in the first water he can find, 
he will then remove to some plot of cool grass, on which he 
will abide till all heat (inflamation) in his feet has evaporated. 



42 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

Now, what is the general treatment on a burning day, 
when the animal has arrived at the stable door, to which 
his feet are subjected ? It is this. They are often just 
damped over, sometimes merely wiped, in order to take off 
the dirt, with a wet sponge, and he is then led to his stall, 
to remain there until he is again wanted, on hot dry litter. 
The litter is commonly very bad, as it gets dry between 
evening and morning, and it then hurts the feet ; particular- 
ly if any of it, however small the quantity, be allowed to 
remain between the shoe and the sole of the foot, inasmuch 
as it will prevent the firm descent of the sole, and is sure to 
cause lameness. We may use ad libitum that which the 
horse himself has pointed out, namely, water, which can 
never do harm. The best way of using it is as follows : — 
Get a piece of serge about eight inches deep and twelve 
long, for each fore-foot ; soak the serge well in water, and 
then apply it, while spread and open, the long way, round 
the pastern ; next pass a piece of list loosely round the 
middle of the serge twice, then tie it and roll the top of the 
serge over the list. This being done to both the fore-feet, 
then soak each foot, bandage and all, in a pail of water, 
wetting them the last thing at night and the first thing in 
the morning ; as well as at other times, when the bandages 
may be getting too dry, or on occasions when the horse may 
remain longer in the stable than usual, or has a day's rest. 
This practice will never be found injurious ; and should there 
be at any time more than ordinary inflamation in the feet, 
and if it be not convenient to give the animal a day's rest, 
it would be advisable to drive him with the bandages on, 
and be sure to keep them wet. 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 43 

Where the feet or hoofs are very strong, it is always 
best to drive the horse through the summer months, with 
only tips, or half or three-quarter shoes as the ease may re- 
quire. When the latter is used, the inside heel is to be free 
from iron. Corns and thrushes are often cured by this treat- 
ment, the heels much opened and the feet altogether im- 
proved. But to no kind of foot is it of equal advantage as 
to the very strong, crusted, contracted, brittle foot, which 
clever grooms, in order to make it last for ever, have spoil- 
ed by their oils and their stoppings, thereby preventing per- 
spiration, thickening the horn and producing fever. 

Never allow the feet of your horse to be oiled, or blacked 
or polished. Either is extremely injurious, and is" never 
done but by lazy fellows, who wish to make the hoofs ap- 
pear as though the proper labor had been bestowed upon 
them, when the reverse has been the case. 

Never buy a horse with pummice soles, for any other 
than slow purposes. This is a disease which has 
has been brought on by violent inflamation of the feet, des- 
troying that support which ought to subsist between the 
sensitive part of the foot, and the crust through which the 
horse throws all his weight upon the sole of the hoof, push- 
ing it downward, and rendering him subject to severe con- 
cussion at every step. A horse of this kind is, therefore, 
unfit for travelling, as it is impossible to tell where, or how 
soon, he must unaviodably be left behind. 

It is an excellent plan, particularly in cold weather, when 
a horse comes in heated, to have his feet and legs, (but not 
higher than his knees) washed with warm water, and then 
a bandage put round the legs till they become dry. If the 



44 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

bandages be despensed with, then should the legs be rubbed 
until all external moisture has been removed, especially in 
the fetlock. This will always prevent cracked heels, and 
where symptoms of these have already been observed, they 
may be mostly cured, in two or three days, by an appli- 
cation of an ointment consisting of a little burnt alum and 
hogs lard. If, however, they should not get better, under 
this treatment, in the course of four days, just wet the chaps 
with vinegar and a slight admixture of blue vitriol. Under 
proper care, the cracks will be washed clean and rubbed 
dry the moment the horse gets to his resting place, and the 
above application is used immediately afterwards. 

In shoeing horses' feet it is a mistake to cut, burn, and 
rasp them as much as is usually done. It must be re- 
membered that scraping or biting our finger nails renders 
them sore and useless as a defence or means of prehension. 
Plow much more then do we render the hoof of a horse, by 
these reducing measures, unable to act as a means of de- 
fence and resistance to bear the weight, and hold the nails 
by which the shoe is attached ? The better the foot, the 
better must be the protection. The animal will perform his 
work more readily and with greater safety, and last longer. 
There is more mischief occurring (and nothing causes a 
faulty shape as soon) from the practice of reducing the hoof 
than from any other plan adopted. 

Each part of the hoof is possessed of different properties. 
The outer part, the wall or crust, grows downward, and the 
ends of the fibres of which it is composed are presented to 
the ground. On this account it is more resisting to the 
wearing forces, and does not fall off in flakes or scales. 



THE HORSEOWNER S COMPANION. 45 

The ends of these fibres, or, in other words, the ground 
surface of the wall or crust only, should be absolutely 
cut away, and that principally towards the toe, where the 
greatest growth usually takes place in health. 

The sole and frog are capable of what is termed, exfolia- 
ting, or, in other words, detaching their waste parts in*, 
flakes or scales. None but loose portions should be cut 
away. These parts are quite capable of their own reduc- 
tion, and need no interference. When shoes are being fitted 
do not apply them too hot, particularly to thin, shelly feet. 
If the feet are good, and no cutting is carried on, as just 
directed, a hot shoe will do little harm. 

Use well-drawn nails. — Thick-headed nails "bind" in the 
holes of the shoe, and frequently press upon the sensitive 
structures of the foot, causing severe lameness. Besides, 
they act as perfect wedges to the hoof, splitting off portions 
to its detriment. 

Let the nails he pointed with a long lead, and nail holes 
in shoes be course, i. e., not too near the outer web or edge. 
In this there is less danger of laming horses than by the 
fine seam and snub pointed nail. The former nail is driven 
straight down, always having a tendency to go away from 
the sensitive structures, but the latter has to be driven in- 
wards, by. which it is almost certain to lame by a "prick" 
or "bind" as it approaches too near. 

Shoes should always be made to possess a perfectly level 
surface for the foot to rest upon. That part of the foot 
which comes upon the shoe is to be the ground surface of 
the wall. No part of the frog or sole need touch the 
shoe. 



46 THE HORSEOWNERs' COMPANION. 

The shape of shoes is an affair of little moment. There is 
no call for beauty or grand work. The secret of shoeing is 
to afford a protection which the hoof alone cannot give, and 
that is the point to study. 

Stopping for feet is quite unnecessary. Grooms and 
smiths call loudly for stopping in order to pare the foot 
easily, and forget that as they pare, the horn dries more 
rapidly, and therefore is the harder. Let them try the 
method already laid down, and they will find the foot is soft 
beneath the scales which fall off as soon as the shoe is re- 
moved, showing that nature uses her own stopping. 

Horses' feet should always be kept as dry as possible when 
healthy. Their natural condition of usefulness as a protec- 
tion consists in being hard and bulky. If disease overtakes 
them, poultices and fomentations are then needed, as pre- 
scribed by the veterinarian. No greater mischief occurs to 
horses' feet than that which arises from the effects of wet 
straw yards and pastures. The salts that are in the fluids 
found in those places reduce and dissolve the hoof, and ren- 
der it unfit as as a protection. Such places are best avoided 
unless well drained. 

Foot ointments when properly made are very useful. 
Equal parts of Stockholm or Archangel tar and mutton suet 
are to be melted together, and a small portion brushed round 
the hoof each day. This will be found the best and cheap- 
est preparation. 

Foot ointments find their basis in the Archangel tar very 
properly. That agent prevents evaporation, and promotes 
the necessary elasticity of the hoof. Grease and fats with 
other admixtures are very prone to render the hoof brittle. 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 47 

As for curitive effects being produced on the sensitive part 
by dressing the hoof outside, there is no evidence to show 
beyond what quackery swears on false premises. 

Cutting, Brushing, &c. — These are terms by which is 
understood that damage of greater or less extent is inflicted, 
generally at the fetlock of one leg, by the opposite foot dur- 
ing action. 

In the former case the skin is usually cut or very much 
bruised, and great lameness occurs, while in the latter the 
hair is slightly removed from the surface by attrition, and 
the skin suffers in a less degree. Horses, however, may 
"brush" for some time, and suddenly become desperate 
cutters in consequence of repeated injury being done to the 
parts. 

Cutting sometimes takes place in animals with high action, 
when the toes are naturally turned inward, and the foot is 
carried towards the opposite leg. In this case the seat of 
injury is below the knee, and great lameness occurs, some- 
times attended with permanent swelling of the bone, called 
a "splint." 

The causes are generally traceable to preventable circum- 
stances. Animals are either out of condition — weak — or 
they are driven too fast and worked too hard in a variety of 
ways. The victims are usually the horses of butchers, 
bakers, and other fast drivers, omnibus and car horses 
especially — in fact, cart and other horses will be guilty of 
the practice if badly kept and harrassed about. When work 
is prolonged too much and animals are heavily shod, they 
become "leg tired" in stable phraseology, and the action 
becomes slovenly and false. 



48 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

The remedies are careful feeding and work at all times, 
but especially when the latter has been unavoidably prolong- 
ed. In the matter of shoeing much may be done. It is the 
fancy to place upon the feet the most fantastic, and even the 
most clumsy shoes, and there are scores of smiths who may 
be found ready to accept a wager "to take any horse off the 
cut." There is no need for these, or even to mutilate the 
hoof, as is too commonly done. If great lameness arises, 
let the injured parts receive immediate attention, and keep 
the animal at rest. Next, place on the feet very light shoes, 
and when put to work let common humanity prevail. 
Horses are not machines or steam engines, that they can go 
incessantly ; if their periods of labor are not properly re- 
gulated, and the amount be too exacting, the animal con- 
stitution must give way. To those who are willing to re- 
cognize early signs of degeneracy, we beg to name cutting 
and brushing ; if they are not attended to, further aggrava- 
tion is succeeded by serious complications, as broken knees, 
fractures, &c, to the animal, besides others of an extraneous 
character. 

Groggy feet, or those understood to be affected with dis- 
ease of the coffin joint, require special treatment, in order 
to limit as much as possible the suffering of the animal. 

Groggy feet do not require shoes of great weight. They 
should be rounded off or turned up at the toe to diminish 
leverage in the first act of progression. In the variety of 
horse most subject to this disease, five nails, or even fewer, 
may be sufficient to hold on the shoe, as the foot is always 
very firm, and the animal cannot endure severe exertion. 
A light hammer should be used, and the blows sharp and in 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 49 

rapid succession, to avoid shaking, which always occurs 
with heavy tools used without caution. 

The feet are to be prepared according to rules already 
given. 

For ring hones the toes and heels of shoes should also be 
kept low, in order to avoid concussion. 

In all cases, however, where these affections are of long 
standing, and medical treatment produces little or no good, 
lameness being persistent, the animal will be of scarcely 
any service for town work. It is best to place them upon 
soft land in the farmer's hands, where many kinds of light 
work may be performed without any sacrifice of feeling or 
increase of suffering to the animal. 

Under certain aggravated conditions of the three forms of 
disease we have been considering, the advice of a veterinary 
surgeon should be sought as to the policy of such animals 
being retained whose life can only be one of protracted 
misery. 

Pumiced feet, so called, are of frequent occurrence among 
cart horses, but others also are liable when mismanagement 
occurs. The appearance which give rise to the term are 
convexity of the sole and concavity of the wall, with great 
tendency to elongation towards the toe. They are the out- 
ward manifestations of an inward diseased state of the 
censitive and secreting structures — hence the deformed 
shape and growth. 

Shoeing may greatly palliate the case. Nothing is known 
that will cure it. Use daily dressings of hoof ointment, 
inside and out, after the foot is cleaned, by which means 



50 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

many animals will be enabled to perform a great amount 
of work with ease and cheerfulness. 

Pricks and hinds are the natural consequences of the 
system of shoeing with nails. Some persons ignorantly sup- 
pose they can only occur from carelessness. They must, 
however, be informed that workmen of the best class, well 
known for their superior skill and care, are liable to cause 
lameness by a prick or bind of the nail in shoeing. There 
are many causes for it, most of which are beyond his 
control. 

At this stage, simple matters would set the animal sound 
in a few hours, but alas ! too frequently delay occurs, or 
some quack treatment is pursued, and at length matter issues 
from the coronet, and the foot is deceased and disfigured for 
life. 

In all cases of lameness, the shoe should be removed, and 
foot properly examined by percussion with the hammer, and 
pressure by the pincers. The situation of nail holes in the 
hoof will determine if some are too near, and evidences of 
pain will usually point to the part under trial. 

If the lameness is not great, mere removal of the shoe 
and nails will mostly be sufficient ; or a warm poultice of 
bran and sawdust may be applied for twelve hours. If, on 
the other hand, the pain and lameness be excessive, having 
gradually increased in severity, matter may be suspected to 
be present within the hoof. Exploration with the knife 
should follow percussion and pressure, by which the precise 
spot will be detected, and exit thus given to the imprisoned 
pus will afford almost instant relief. Poultices preceeded 
by hot fomentations will be required, besides other treat- 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 51 

ment, to allay febrile excitement and expedite the case, for 
which a qualified veterinarian is best to dictate, according 
to existing circumstances. 

It is advisable in all cases of lameness to apply at once to 
a veterinary surgeon ; much tediousness and disappointment 
as well as expense may be avoided. As in many other 
cases, u the first cost is the least in the end." 

The shoeing of lame horses requires special measures, and 
could not be treated any further in a work of this kind with- 
out extending it beyond ordinary limits. The instructions 
already given will in greater part be found applicable. By 
their observance much harm may be avoided, and the use- 
fulness of our valuable servants greatly extended. Brittle 
feet, so called, may be wonderfully restored in a short time, 
the falling off or losing of shoes greatly avoided ; and re- 
member that the greater evil exists in doing too much, 
rather than knowing what should not be done. 



52 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
QEjctxtiBt. 

|NE of the greatest sources of health among horses is to 
,^| be found in exercise. By that term we understand 
exertion or use of organs of locomotion, as the legs, 
etc., and other parts of the body more or less, not strictly 
called work. Exercise, or the use of the body, is intended 
to be engaged in at those times when the animal capabilities 
are not required for work. It is a duty which relieves from 
the close and monotonous confinement of the stable. Horses 
kept for a length of time without action suffer in a variety 
of ways. The circulation of blood is languid, digestion of 
food retarded, fluids which in health are formed in various 
organs of the body for the purpose of changing substances 
and rendering them fit for the system, are not poured out 
during continued rest with sufficient activity. Muscles be- 
come soft and flabby, and such an animal is thoroughly un- 
fit for work or exertion of any kind ; he is soon tired and 
used up. The skin looks dull and rough, the bowels are 
constipated, and he becomes a prey to disease of various 
kinds. 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 53 

Exercise must not be confounded with actual work. The 
two are totally different. What work takes out of the system, 
exercise is intended to build up and strengthen. Exercise 
stimulates all the energies of the body and promotes strength 
and vigor. It causes all the tissues of the body to receive 
their support by reason of the tone given to the circulation 
of the blood, and digestion and appropriation of food. 
Work, on the other hand, goes farther than this, and lowers 
the body — causes it to waste or wear out. On this account 
therefore exercise must be a duty which promotes health by 
stimulating all the animal functions, but stops short of pro- 
ducing weariness or exhaustion. It renovates the body, 
and makes it ready to encounter excessive and prolonged 
exertion, which we call work. 

Exercise should be taken regularly. All horses not in- 
tended to go to work ought to receive an amount of exercise 
daily. It is not necessary that the time spent should always 
be the same, nor is it proper that it be prolonged too far, as 
it then ceases to be useful and beneficial. 

Usually walking exercise only is taken, and in most in- 
stances is found to answer all purposes. If, however, a trot 
is indulged in, horses should never be hurried, or during a 
canter put so fast as so "blow" them, nor should the dis- 
tance gone over amount to more than one-quarter that used 
for walking. 

Truck-horses, those used for cabs, omnibuses, spring-carts, 
and sometimes even carriage horses, do not receive exercise 
as frequently as they should. Many of these animals suffer 
immediately when confined to the stable but even a single day. 
It is a common thing to find cases of weed or thick leg oc- 



54 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION 



curing with unerring regularity on Monday morning, not 
unfrequently also colic, and even founder or inflamation of 
the feet. 

Such horses, although coming to the stable tired at the 
week end, would be certainly benefited by a walk of three or 
four miles o?i Sunday morning. The time occupied would 
admit of the stables being thoroughly cleaned, the animals 
would obtain fresh air instead of breathing noisome odors 
during the operation, and in many cases ward off the attacks 
mentioned. 

When horses come up from grass, straw-yards, or rest on 
green food, etc., the amount of exercise at commencement 
should be very limited, and gradually increased until the 
full amount is taken. Our further remarks in connection 
with exercise will lead us to a consideration of what is 
understood bv condition. 



1 



CHAPTER IX. 
Contrition. 

pHE object of exercise is the preservation and maintenr 
ance of that healthy state or general capacity for work 
which is known in stable technics as condition. To 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 55 

acquire it, good food, pure water, well ventilated buildings, 
scrupulous care and regularity in all stable routine, and 
exercise in the open air are indispensible. 

Early morning is usually chosen, sometimes the exercise 
is apportioned, one part to the morning another to the after- 
noon. This also admits of other work being carried out, 
which would not be done if all the exercise were taken in 
the morning. 

The usual process of getting a horse into condition, con- 
sists in the use of certain doses of physic. Some grooms 
go so far as to assert, "No horse can be got into condition 
without physic." 

The Turkish bath is also by some used under the idea 
that there is something always to be got rid of which mili- 
tates against condition, and the poor creatures are parboiled 
and sweated unmercifully. 

The art of getting a horse into condition lies totally apart 
from either of these processes. Hundreds of horses are 
brought forward every year without them, and on the score 
of what can be done, and is done every day of our lives, we 
appeal for our noble servant, and beg he may be spared this 
useless and aggravating treatment, except when illness de- 
mands it. 

Condition is that state of the muscular system in which 
the body is strong, healthy, and capable of endurance under 
prolonged action. Muscle has to be built up and thorough- 
ly developed. Every one knows the blacksmith's arm or 
the legs of the danseuse become thicker by the exercise. 
Their action stimulates their growth, and when after a time 



56 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

they are so developed, they may be said to be in perfect 
condition. 

The muscles of the horse also admit of this gradual de- 
velopment. It is caused by their being regularly exereised 
and drawing to them the nutrition from the blood which has 
first been put into that fluid from the food. Regular ex- 
ercise causes the body to rid itself of all hurtful substances. 
Good food produces good muscle ; and unless there are 
special circumstances to consider, nothing else is required 
to produce condition, excepting regularity of system. 

The effect of physic is to weaken the system and retard 
the development of muscle and formation of good blood. 
They are similar to bleeding, but a little less intense. Phy- 
sicking horses in order to get them into condition is carried 
on to an absurd degree, as many as three doses of physic 
being given to one animal prior to the season in the space 
of a few weeks. The first ball was said to stir up the hum- 
ours, the second to set them moving, and the third to carry 
them off, and, it frequently did so by carrying off the horse 
as well. 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 57 



CHAPTER X, 
iFeebing. 

pHIS is one of the most comprehensive subjects connect- 
ed with the keeping and management of horses. All 
food should be of the best quality and kind. If inferior 
kinds are purchased, and require disguising by some process 
to make them palatable, the sooner he who purchases such 
is removed the better. 

The food used for working horses are those cereals and 
leguminous seeds which, usually denominated corn, consist 
of oats and Indian corn, together with hay, straw, bran, and 
green food. 

These vary much in their properties as well as nutrition, 
and on that ground alone arises the question "What kinds 
are best, and what proportion should be given ?" 

Most persons are aware that corn should be thoroughly 
dry for feeding purposes, otherwise inconveniences occur 
in the form of indigestion, colic, weed, grease, or loss of 
condition, etc. 

Besides, in purchasing that which is not dry, or seasoned, 
a decided loss occurs, which buyers should avoid by securing 
a reduced price in accordance. 



58 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

Whenever grain of good quality can be secured, it should 
be bought and stored up, to ensure its being thoroughly dry. 
Oats should be heavy in the hand, devoid of thick husks, 
and short and plump in the kernel. 

The method of economising food consists in using a 
variety of grain instead of one kind, and that exclusively of 
oats. Some have tried the different leguminous kinds also 
separately, but found them inefficient in economy, and even 
injurious. 

A farmer of my acquaintance having about thirty horses, 
purchased, at a cheap rate, a quantity of Indian corn, under 
the idea that it would effect a saving in the cost of feeding. 
On the contrary, the health and condition were greatly 
sacrificed. 

Similar objections may be urged against other varieties 
of food when exclusively used, particularly in their liability 
to produce disorder of the digestive organs. 

We are also taught practically that a loss of condition 
and proneness to disease is brought about by food contain- 
ing too little nutrition, when the demands upon the system 
are excessive. 

A mixture, therefore, should be regulated by special con- 
ditions. Due consideration is to be given to the nutritious 
matter contained in each ingredient, and as a whole, the 
amount and character of the work, and quantity allowed to 
each animal. 

We find that food is nutritious when it can minister to 
the formation and development of the body, and mainten- 
ance against waste ; while substances of a mixed character 
are needed in order to keep pace with the requirements of 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 59 

the body in the production of a necessary temperature, and 
assistance in the accumulation of vital force. 

Food, rich in mixed characters, supplies the necessary 
elements without disturbing the balance of the functions, 
h whic occurs when too much of one kind is given indiscrim- 
inately. All vegetable food is of a mixed character, but 
each kind differs in the richness of its constituents, and we 
are thereby taught that the animal economy can live and 
thrive only upon food provided Tiaturally, and which con- 
all the s niaelements calculated to minister to the tissues 
and functions of the body. 

In travelling great distances, it will be better to feed about 
every ten miles ; let the hor se then have a few mouthfuls. of 
hay and as much water as he chooses ; with a feed of corn 
and water at the end of every twenty, or thirty, miles ; mak- 
ing the intermediate distances as convenient as possible. 
The horse will be rarely incapacitated, so long as he retains 
his appetite ; and, if thus fed, he must be exceedingly over- 
worked (provided he have any pluck and be properly driven) 
if he lose his appetite. 

There cannot be greater folly, or something worse, than 
in boasting of having driven a horse fifty miles a day, with- 
out feeding. To say nothing of the cmelty of such usage, 
what state must the horse be in the next day ? 

Let him not be restricted in water, until he is inclined to 
eat. Should he not be inclined to eat without an immediate 
quantity of water, drive slower for the next few miles ; six 
quarts of water in many cases, will not inconvenience a horse 
more than a glass of beer would a man. 



60 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

It is scarcely necessary to observe, that attention to fre- 
quent feeding is the more necessary in winter. Some per- 
sons object on account ot losing time, too feeding to often. 
This objection, however, is perfectly frivolous. To call at 
an inn door, and get the ostler to undo the curb, and have 
the bridoon taken out of the mouth, while the horse drinks, 
and eats a few mouthfuls of hay, need not occupy more 
than three minutes ; while the renewed freshness of the 
animal will amply compensate the delay and the expense. 
Persons who are so unfeeling as not to be able to afford 
time to feed their horses find ample leisure to refresh them- 
selves much longer than it would be necessary to reinvigor- 
ate the partially exhausted frames of their faithful and hard- 
working nags. Besides, attention to the natural wants 
of a horse must of course preserve his vigor, and increase 
his ability to perform his daily duty. To neglect a matter 
so important as that of supplying a proper quantity of food, 
is the same as deliberately contriving the destruction of the 
poor animal. Under all circumstances, therefore, if the 
traveller desires to preserve the health and mettle of his 
horse, he will always refresh his nag when he needs refresh- 
ment himself. It is proverbial that a good master is always 
merciful to his beast. 

Advantages of proper food and regularity in feeding. — 
My experience, and that of others who have devoted atten- 
tion to the conditions discussed in the preceding pages, 
clearly shows that the secret of keeping horses healthy lies 
in prevention. This is comprised in cleaniness, ventil. 
ation, care and attention to the quality, quantity, and re- 
gularity of feeding, and due proportion of work. 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. gl 

In all horse establishments the system of feeding, to be 
successful, should be regulated by definite rules, having 
special reference to the kind and quantity of work to be 
performed. 

The hours also of feeding should be strictly adhered to. 
The latter is highly necessary on account of the small size 
of the horse's stomach and rapidity of digestion. Upon 
this account horses should not as a rule be fed fewer than 
four times a day. With horses out during unexpected 
times this cannot always be accomplished ; but with town, 
farm, cab, and omnibus horses, it may be greatly overcome 
by the use of the nose-bag. 

When work is light and calls for little exertion of mus- 
cular power, horses may be fed economically upon oats, 
with Indian corn, chaff, and bran. Every 12 pounds of oats 
being mixed with 4 pounds of corn, 2 pounds of bran, and 
14 or 16 pounds of hay, or hay and straw chaff. These 
quantities, which are allowed each day, will do for a horse 
of 15 or 16 hands, but larger horses will require a few pounds 
more. 

When work begins to be excessive, it must be the care 
of horse-keepers and those in charge to furnish a food con- 
taining greater nutrition. 

I am aware that breeding will in a measure account for 
"pluck" and disposition to work in animals as well as in 
man, but it will not stand in the place of ability under any 
circumstances. The willingness or pluck may be always 
present, but ability will depend upon a condition of strength. 

One thorough-bred horse will resemble another very much 
in disposition, but differ widely in ability from mode of living 



§2 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

Take the first from the green pasture and run him alongside 
that brought direct from hard dry corn and sound hay, up- 
on which he has subsisted months, and performed daily 
exertion. The effect is easily perceived ; weight or distance 
is scarcely an object to him, but the first is blown or lamed 
at once. 

Harness horses, and horses used in draught, require 
similar treatment to produce strength and endurance. 

While pluck is derived from breeding, strength is derived 
from food and a healthy digestion. Corn and hay, trans- 
muted within the penetralia of the living organism, becomes 
muscle, and, likewise, by the operation of laws within the 
animal organism, if we need strength (force) , it must first be 
supplied in the shape of sound, dry provender. 

There is a very erroneous idea, at least to my perception, 
entertained by many, that where a draught horse is required 
for moving extreme weights he should be large and ponder- 
ous. If the dealer is enquired of, "You want weight," says 
he. If a friend be appealed to, a similar recommendation 
is given. It is in this way many useless, heavy-legged, un- 
sightly, lugubrious, and slovenly animals are tolerated. 
What these are supposed to gain by superior capabilities 
in moving weights, they lose in speed, and hence are seen 
creeping along the streets, and, as occurs in some towns, 
creating quite an obstruction to general traffic. 

It appears to me that strength is required, not absolute 
weight, but a good development of muscle. 

The provender used for horses consists of oats, hay, straw, 
and bran. Besides, fashion, and a view to economy, has 
led the way towards introducing additional substances, as 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 63 

Indian corn or maize, linseed, and with the season, grass, 
clover, rye-grass, and carrots, usually called vegetable food. 

Oats form the principle article of diet for horses in al- 
most all parts. Good oats yield about 14 per cent, of nu- 
trition. They are as a rule very digestable, and when clean, 
dry, sweet, and sound, answer very well for all horses doing 
light work. 

The proportion required for different animals varies in ac- 
cordance with the work ; but size of animal also calls for 
modification in the daily allowance. Horses from 15 to 16 
hands in light work or exercise only, will do very well upon 
8 or 10 pounds per day, which may be increased to 12 pounds 
under greater work. Cart-horses will require 12 to 16 or 
18 pounds, and wagon-horses of large build as much as 20 
to 25 pounds. 

A small quantity of cut straw, or hay and bran, is ad- 
vantageously given with oats in the manger or nose-bag. 
Mastication is much more perfect and* digestion facilitated 
thereby. This equally applies to all kinds of corn. 

It is not necessary always to bruise oats. — If the horse is 
endowed with his proper masticatory powers, no human in- 
vention or appliance will supersede them. It is more 
natural for the horse to masticate his food than to receive 
it in a partially cooked or digested state. 

Hay and strait with bran, are articles used entirely for 
the purpose of giving bulk to the forms of food which occur 
in grain, etc., and also on account of their mechanical action 
on the coats of the digestive organs. By their use the food 
is more perfectly masticated and digested, and healthy 
action maintained with greater persistence and regularity. 



64 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

Hay very frequently proves no better or more economical 
than oat straw ; much depends upon the mode in which it is 
gathered. If allowed to stand until the seeds are ripe, 
greater part is shed upon the ground ; and as they then con- 
tain all the nutrition, that which remains is not worth the 
money usually paid for it. Nutrition exists in good upland 
hay to the extent of 12 or 13 percent., but in other varieties 
not more than 6 or 8 per cent, is to be iound. 

The quantity allowed to each horse is from 12 to 24 
pounds. Greater economy is to be maintained by cutting 
up the hay and mixing with it one-fourth or one-half cut 
oat straw. When given in the long or uncut state, much 
waste occurs by the animal drawing it beneath the feet and 
trampling upon it. In the cut state it is very closely con- 
sumed. 

Straw forms an indispensible article of diet, particularly 
among cart-horses, and those used in cabs, omnibuses, etc. 
Oat straw is always to be preferred, which in times when 
hay is very dear or scarce, may very properly take its place. 
It is possessed of nutrition to the extent of 6 per cent., but 
this principle is not looked at primarily. Straw should al- 
ways be given cut into chaff. The practice of giving un- 
threshed straw to working horses is a most uncertain me- 
thod, and greatly prejudicial to their working qualities. The 
quantity of grain they receive is doubtful, and no method 
can be more destructive to the owner's interest when work 
is required. In farm stables a great amount of incon- 
venience takes place from the practice ; it forms one of the 
causes of disease in the category, which is a lengthened 
one. 



THE* HORSEOWNER'S COMPANION. 65 

Bran contains as rnucn nutrition as barley. It is, how- 
ever, very indigestible, and in consequence furnishes none 
of its beneficial ingredients to the system. Bran finds favor 
as a laxative. For this purpose it is given with other kinds 
of food in order to correct any tendency towards constipation 
or accumulation within the intestines. Bran contains much 
siliceous or sandy matter, and to this is due the mechanical 
irritation which proves so very useful when given with the 
food daily. The quantity used is from 10 to 14 pounds per 
week. 

Among horses doing heavy work and receiving a great 
quantity of hard corn, bran is a most useful article, being 
given as a mash twice a week. For this purpose two or 
three pounds of bran are saturated with boiling water, 
scarcely half a feed of oats is also added, together with a 
little linseed prepared according to details which follow. 
The whole is then allowed to cool, and when at the tem- 
perature of new milk given to the animal. In many well 
regulated town stables this forms a constant practice. 

In some places the laxitive qualities of bran are believed 
to be useful in removing calculi or stones from the intestines, 
and on this account it is used very extensively. Having 
specially investigated this subject, we do not think it im- 
probable that the bran itself has much to do with their for- 
mation. Where it is so largely used, containing a quantity 
of dust also from the floor of the mill, these effects are 
common. 

Buyers of bran should insist upon it being free from 
sweepings from the floor, etc. Bran mashes are used for 
animals suffering under acute fever to replace corn, which 



66 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

would aggrivate the complaint. They produce a softened 
state of the excrement, and thus relieve high vascular action. 
Prior to the administration of physic they are also judicious- 
ly administered, whereby much pain and irritation as well 
as loss of time is avoided — a less powerful dose being re- 
quired. 

Bran mashes are not nutritive, and therefore should not 
be given too frequently to animals laboring under weakening 
ailments. In such cases they prove positively injurious, by 
prolonging the disease and prostrating the powers of the 
animal body. After their use mangers should be well wash- 
ed out with a brush and hot water having soda dissolved in 
it, to remove the sour smell left by the fermenting portions ; 
otherwise any food which is given afterwards will be re- 
fused by the animal and occasion waste. 

Linseed contains about 24 per cent, of nutritious matter, 
with upwards of 60 per cent, of fatty or heat producing 
material. It is never used alone as an article of diet, but 
proves eminently serviceable given in a state of solution 
with other food. 

Linseed is laxitive and nourishing. While its adminis- 
tration promotes a regular state of the digestive organs, it 
also proves highly assimilative, and hastens the assimilation 
of other articles of food. Horses which receive linseed 
usually look fresh and bright in the skin, in consequence of 
the special influence it has upon the bloodvessels and secret- 
ing organs of that part. 

Horse-dealers and grooms who desire to put on a fine 
coat rapidly, and improve the general condition of animals 
coming up from the pasture in a lean and poor state, are 



67 



well aware of this property, and therefore use linseed. The 
laxative qualities are due to the presence of an oil, known 
as "linseed oil," obtained by expression from the seeds. As 
a constantly soft condition of the dung of horses is not a 
natural, but very prejudicial state, care must be exercised in 
order not to use linseed too much. By some the oil itself is 
used, one or two tablespoonfuls being mixed each night with 
the bran, chaff, and corn. Horses soon take to it, and im- 
prove visibly under its influence, but the reader must be in- 
formed that strength is not produced directly by its use ; on 
the other hand, fat is laid down, and this gives the altered 
appearance. Indirectly, when good food is used at the same 
time, the digestion and appropriation of the nutritive por- 
tions are carried on with greater vigor, and thus the mus- 
cular system is regenerated from time to time. The form 
in which linseed is given to horses is that of solution, or as 
tea. In some districts it is placed in water and boiled until 
the capsule of each seed bursts from imbibition, and the 
whole becomes a thick mucilaginous fluid. All the trouble, 
however, may be saved, as linseed will assume this form 
quite as well and as rapidly in cold water as by boiling. 

The proportions are about a pound of a linseed to one gal- 
lon of water. The whole is placed in a glazed earthenware 
vessel, covered over and allowed to stand until ready, about 
twelve hours being sufficient, during which it may be stirred 
once or twice. Half a pint of this is given to each horse 
with the evening feed. 

Two vessels having covers should be used. — When one is 
charged the other is to be well steeped and cleansed and 
again charged, in order to come into use at the proper time. 



68 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 



The quantity made should not last over two or three days, 
as there is a great tendency towards fermentation, by which 
the whole becomes very offensive, and consequently useless. 

Among horses receiving a great quantity of hard, dry 
corn each day, linseed thus treated will be found very bene- 
ficial, and promote health. 

Vegetable food consists of two kinds. One, supplied in 
summer, is called the green crop, and consists of varieties 
of grass and carrots. 

Great mischief occurs among all working horses by the 
indiscriminate use of vegetable food. Containing much 
water they cause the animals to perspire very freely, they 
also urinate profusely, the food is hurried through the body, 
and being weakened thereby, they are liable to take cold 
easily. 

They are thrown out of condition, which hard corn and 
proper exercise only make, and the profits and peace of 
the owner often considerably endangered thereby. 

To expect them to work upon such food is to look for an 
impossibility, and is entirely foreign to the horse in an 
artificial condition, and it will be seen at once why we claim 
for the horse entire rest while subsisting upon green food. 

Turning to grass. — The more we become acquaiated with 
the nature, habits, and requirements of the horse, the less 
favorable does the practice of turning to grass become. In 
addition to the inconveniences already enumerated, there are 
others which prove more embarrassing and destructive to 
profits. The changes of temperature, that of the outer air 
being much cooler than the air of the stable, are sufficient 
after sudden exposure to work great and mischevious results. 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 69 

In addition to the comparatively innutritious nature of grass, 
as set against dry food, the animal is less able to withstand 
the cold air of nights, of rains and winds. If the reader 
should possess an old animal whose services are no longer 
required, and it is desirable that he should be allowed to 
spend his days in freedom, there can be no direct harm in 
his doing so. In a short time he will become as comfort- 
able and satisfied with the cool air ot heaven as he previous- 
ly was with that of the stable. Nature will soon provide a 
coat suitable for all weathers, and in his paddock, with only 
a bare shed, visit him when you will, he comes with a fresh- 
ness and grace which contrasts strangely with the states we 
have been considering. He has taken a fresh lease of life, 
and in such a condition, which resembles the natural one 
most closely, he may live for years. 

With the working horse matters are different. The 
changes are too severe upon his constitution. He no sooner 
has become inured to the change of climate and and other 
vicissitudes, than he is called upon to make another sacrifice 
of his constitution, and subject himself again to the oppres- 
sive atmosphere of his own stable. 

In all fairness such an animal should not be turned loose 
upon pasture land. A large loose box and yard is best, in 
which for the sake of his health, present and future, his feet 
and legs, lungs and digestive organs, he can exercise him- 
self proportionally with the food he gets, rest and be thank- 
ful, preserved from cold winds, rain, or the burning sun. 
Here his green food is to be brought along with water, and 
a feed of corn in most instances, and with a dry bed be- 
neath him, a few weeks may be spent. He thus requires 



70 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

less time to be got again into condition, maintains it better" 
afterwards, and gives greater satisfaction in the end. 

Errors to be avoided, — Food should always possess an 
amount of bulk. Nature has not been unmindful of this 
when providing the nutritious principles of grain. The 
grain, or kernel, contains the nutrition in a concentrated 
form, and bulky material is to be found in the husk or 
stem. 

Proportionate bulk is requisite to ensure digestion. The 
stomach cannot abstract nutrition from small quantities of 
concentrated food with benefit. The digestion and solution 
is not efficiently performed, as the stomach lacks the 
stimulus of contact, so essential to healthy action and secre- 
tion. 

Grass, straw, and hay contain but little nutrition, and to 
ensure its abstraction, bulk is given to it consisting of water 
ligneous matter (woody fibre), and salts. 

Fluids, however nutritious, as a rule, are not so easily 
appropriated as solid food. No better evidence is found 
than where cooked food is served to horses. The soft 
watery mass is too rapidly swallowed, and becomes as un- 
natural as it is innutritious. 

It is an acknowledged fact that no process of cooking or 
preparation will render the food more nutritious , and there is 
positive proof that a mixture of substances, boiled to a pulp, 
are not so digestible as when given in a natural condition to 
working horses. 

Cooked food for horses is a form which certainly has no 
analogy in nature. It is open to grave objections. It 
weakens the digestive organs. It is swallowed rapidly, 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 71 

and the stomach becomes greatly distended, by which secre- 
tions are prevented or altogether stopped. Little or 
no insalivation takes place, and the food does not 
undergo those important and preliminary changes 
which have already been insisted upon. Secretions, other- 
wise necessary, are of no use with such an excess of fluid 
food, and if poured out are too far diluted. The stomach ac- 
quires in time an immense capacity and the muscular powers 
are weakened. The liver becomes diseased, and the natural 
secretions very limited or absent. The intestines now suf- 
fer from this combination of results, and colic becomes of 
periodical occurrence. 

The bulk given to boiled food is looked upon by some as 
an advantage, and in illustration of the belief, a gentleman 
remarked recently that the food thus supplied to his horses 
must be more nutritious than other kinds, as it is softer, 
partially digested to begin with, and every twelve pounds put 
into the copper are increased to forty-eight. It must, how- 
ever, be remembered that thirty six pounds of this is only 
water. I would like to know who can conscientiously 
expect a horse to work well and continue in health on food 
which contains three hundred parts of water for every hun- 
dred of spoiled grain. 

The stomach and intestines of the horse are not intended 
for sloppy food. The whole arrangement forms an assemb- 
lage of perfect organs eminently fitted for bruising, insaliva- 
ting, digesting, and appropriating natural food, and un- 
natural slops and trash concocted by the device of man is at- 
tended with disease and mortality. It therefore proves an 



72 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

expensive mode of feeding, and a knowledge of this is of 
great value to all concerned in the keeping of animals. 

Feeding after work, when the exertion has been very 
severe and prolonged, is a matter requiring great care. 
Among racehorses nothing can be more marked than the 
attention paid to them when they return to the stable. 

It must be apparent to all who give the subject any con- 
sideration, that after a sharp race, or the drawing of heavy 
loads, much wear and tear of the whole system takes place. 
It is not merely the muscles which move the limbs, but the 
muscles also which regulate circulation of the blood and 
digestion of the food. In a word, all are tired and need 
rest. When the racer arrives at his stable, so well are 
those in charge aware practically of this fact, that they 
avoid torturing the stomach by causing it to perform un- 
necessary labor. The mouth is washed out, the face, nos- 
trils, and eyes carefully sponged with cold water, which 
refreshes the creature almost beyond estimate, and when 
that is done he receives a quantity of warm oatmeal gruel 
which has been prepared during the afternoon. After tak- 
ing off the rough dirt, washing the legs, etc., he is left for a 
time. On the return of the groom, he is cleaned in right 
earnest and supplied with corn and hay. 

What is the rule in other stables ? In many the horse is 
first allowed to satiate an excessive thirst with cold water at 
a trough in all seasons, his feet and legs washed very 
roughly, and half his body wetted at the same time. He 
next is allowed to go to his stall, and during the time he 
starves with the washing he is allowed to fill his tired 
stomach with a large quantity of food, while a man teases 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 73 

him under the pretence of cleaning. Surely these animals, 
which are directly concerned in the building up of our 
colossal fortunes, are worthy of a little more consideration. 
If the labor in which they are daily engaged is not produc- 
tive of amusement, it is certainly a source of profit without 
which amusement could not be afforded. We appeal there- 
fore for a little more consideration for our four-footed friend 
the cart-horse and his allies, who in their spheres are equally 
as useful as any other animal, certainly an indispensible 
agent in our social economy. 

Instead of cold water supplied in hurtful quantities, let 
us suggest hay tea, or a little tepid water with oat or bar- 
ley meal thrown in. These would be far more agreeable to 
a thirsty horse, and refresh and cheer instead of paralysing 
the stomach. Hay tea is made by pouring boiling water 
upon a handful of good hay placed at the bottom of a 
pail, and covered with a cloth or sack. After a time cold 
water is added to fill the pail, when it is given to the animal 
at the temperature of new milk. 

In place of heavy food, we recommend for a tired horse a 
few oats or a little barley which has been steeped in hot 
water for a few hours. This is mixed with a handful of 
bran, and given on arrival m the slable after the hay tea, or 
meal and water. The cleaning operations over, and beds 
put down, the rest of the food may be given and stable 
closed for the night. By this method the animals are re- 
cruited and food proves useful, but in the unnatural systems 
so often carried out, it causes their destruction in not a few 
instances. 



74 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

It will be found more economical in the way of food to 
use old horses, in preference to young ones. The horse is 
not properly set and framed until he is eight years of age. 
He, therefore, before that age requires support, not only for 
his daily wear and tear, but also for his growth. Neither 
do all horses require, as is too generally supposed, feeding 
alike. One description, or make, of horse would almost fatten 
where another would starve. A small horse does not re- 
quire so much food as a larger one, though it is often a sub- 
ject of surprise that one horse is not so fat as another. 

A working horse should never have less than one peck of 
oats, a day, but more according to size and circumstances. 
Some horses, if in poor condition, will eat a peck and a 
half of oats per day, with benefit to them. In feeding them well 
there is this advantage, they eat the less hay, consequently 
they have soon finished their supper and get to rest ; while 
the next morning they are in better courage and all the 
fitter for their work. Never be induced to stint a horse of 
his corn on account of any violence or fretfulness of his tem- 
per ; give him his full quantity, and it will be found to act 
upon him as a sedative ; and as he gains fat, he will become 
proportionably quiet and self-satisfied. But on the dull 
horse food has a contrary effect. Let it not be imagined, 
however, that these effects are produced by one or two days 
feeding. Such desirable changes can be wrought only by 
a continuance of good management for some time. Neither 
let it be supposed that a poor horse will not get fat. Feed 
him well, indulge him by walking up hill, and always pull- 
ing up to a walk when he begins to get warm on the neck, 
and in six weeks he will not appear like the same animal. 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 75 

The same remark applies to the fretful horse, with this dif- 
ference, that it is necessary to exercise more patience to get 
him to walk at first, and to abstain from applying to him 
the whip on any occasion, until he feels himself comfor- 
table, which also may be in about six weeks. To tell a 
practised horseman not to use the whip to a fretful horse, 
would be a needless caution, but to others, particularly be- 
ginners, it is not so ; as there are many who would almost 
as soon be without a horse at all, as be restricted to using 
the whip only as often as necessary. 

MASHES. 

These are admirable for horses at all p»*eiods of the year, 
but then they should not be given in the parsimonious way 
they usually are, doing neither good nor harm. For what 
purpose are they intended? Why, just to open the bowels 
and gently cool the body ; so as to preclude the necessity of 
having recource to more violent medicines, the application 
of which would deprive the owner of the horse for some 
days of its services. Such would be the substance'of the 
answer given to the above question. There are, however, 
other and perhaps better reasons to be assigned in favor of 
the application of mashes — they are important as prevent- 
ing inflammation in the feet. Nature intended the horse 
to feed on succulent food, and stand or move on the cool 
ground. It may be observed that when left to himself he 
retires during the heat of the day into the shade ; preferring 
the time to feed when the ground is cold and wet with dew, 
and he takes his exercise at his pleasure. But for the use 



76 THE HOBSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

of man, he is taken from the open fields into the close stable, 
his feet are placed upon warm litter, and he is fed upon hot 
inflammatory food. This is reversing the design of nature, 
but is necessary to enable the horse to perform the work to 
which he is destined. Yet if we reflect, that he is taken 
out of the stable, and forced to go at a considerable pace, 
not for any length of time agreeable to himself, but so long 
as it may suit our pleasure or business, is it not astonishing 
that so much violence done to nature is not resented more 
fearfully than it is ? But the present artificial modes of treat- 
ing the horse are not altogether unproductive of such con- 
sequences as might be antipicated. Fevers, though perhaps 
slight, will ensue, and settle in the most vulnerable or most 
exercised parts of the animal's frame — principally in the fore 
feet. The best means of preventing, or counteracting, this 
ill effect, is by giving the horse a bran mash mixed with 
cold water ; nor, because a change is made for the bran, let 
that be any excuse for abridging his proper allowance of 
corn. The better plan is to mix the bran and corn together 
making of the whole a thick wash, and not as usual damp 
the bran only. Attention to this recommendation will im- 
prove the horse, without injuring his appetite, as warm 
mashes are apt to do. The bran mash may be given twice 
a week with great benefit to the animal. 

GRUELING. 

This is a mess rarely required by the roadster, although 
some who would wish to appear more knowing than their 
fellows, give it to their horses without the least occasion. 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 77 

They have probably heard that it is sometimes given to 
trotters while performing a match, and they conclude that 
what may be good for one time must be good at another, by 
the same rule, that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for 
the gander. But it is not so in the present case. The rea- 
son for giving trotters gruel after very hard runs is the^ 
great prostration of their strength at the time. Their ex- 
treme exhaustion renders it necessary to supply them with 
nutriment in a condensed form to enable them to swallow it, 
and being thirsty from the fever about them, this is the 
most convenient mode of administering a restorative. The 
horse in this case is exactly in the situation ot one just get- 
ting convalescent after severe sickness, but too weak to eat 
his customary food until he has been strengthened by tonics. 
Is it not then absurd to treat a horse in perfect health, 
nor exhausted by extreme fatigue, in a similar man- 
ner, — that is, to coddle him, for so such treatment 
under such circumstances is properly called? He will eat 
well enough if he has plenty of water to drink. But if he 
should be very warm, and loth to eat, give him a reasonable 
quantity, say six quarts, of chilled water, and then try 
whether he will eat some corn well wetted* 

Persons who resort to this messing or codling have, of 
course, a pretext for it, which pretext usually is that they 
have driven too hard. When this is really the fact, the 
better way is to give the horse an extra allowance of corn : 
he will eat it. If horses are properly used, and yet are off 
their feed, it is not for want of gruel, and the sooner a veter- 
inary surgeon is called in the better. The trotter has grue 
given to him during his performance, because there is no 



78 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

time to feed him otherwise, or to prevent him being over- 
come by excessive fatigue. He is given gruel on the same 
principle as a man in over-taxing his physical powers for a 
wager would need brandy as a stimulus. The reader may 
rest assured, and we repeat it, that the roadster is rarely in 
want of gruel. 

Boiled oats given to horses is only another mode of gruel- 
ling, and, therefore, comes under the same strictures. No 
one can deny that gruel and boiled oats are both easier of 
digestion than raw food, and, therefore, are only suitable 
for weakened aud disordered stomachs. Then why give 
messes when the appetite is good, and capable of digesting 
the best food ? The race horse never has gruel but in case 
of sickness. To bring him in proper condition to the post, 
the most solid food is necessary. 

WATER. 

More error prevails respecting the quantity of water, and 
the proper times of giving it to horses, than perhaps on any 
other part of our subject. Nature never errs, yet are ostlers 
determined to act in direct hostility to her dictates. One 
quantity of water, and one only, is almost invariably doled 
out, without the least reference to the actual state or wants of 
the animal. No matter what he may really require, what 
exercise he may have undergone, or how far the animal 
fluids may have been expended, they have but one rule 
under all circumstances. By a sort oi reasoning peculiar to 
themselves, they have been brought to believe that the faster 
a horse has been driven, and the greater the distance, so, in 
proportion, he ought to be stinted of this indispensible 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 79 

element — water. Nor does the length of time v/hich the 
horse may have been deprived of liquid sustenance at all 
enter into the calculation. If the animal may chance to 
have gone without his usual supply at the regular hour, the 
ostler will never allow him to make up for his involuntary 
abstinence. It might be thought that gentlemen not themselves 
averse to some refreshing beverage, would bestow more 
thought in this respect upon their four-footed companions ; 
but whether they are conscious, from experience, that over- 
drinking is injurious to the health and constitution, or from 
a rooted aversion to pure water passing down their own 
throats, and so apply the same reasoning to their poor 
beasts, is a question hardly worth the enquiry. One thing, 
however, they should not forget, viz., that quadrupeds have 
not the same incitements, or inclination, to go to excess, as 
bipeds have. The former only drink as nature requires, 
the latter yield to the temptation, both from desire and 
habit on every frivolous pretence. The horse requires water 
for the following purposes : to quench his thirst ; to assist 
digestion ; to dilute the blood and fluids, and to promote 
the natural secretions. By depriving him, therefore, of a 
sufficient quantity of this vital article, we are impeding the 
necessary operations of nature ; and this is the secret cause 
of much of the unsoundness in horses. For as we have already 
said in a former part, nature will not permit her laws to be 
seriously violated, without exhibiting some resentment. A 
slow fever is one consequence of this painful deprivation, 
and which settles in the feet or eyes, but most commonly 
the feet, for reasons before assigned. May not glanders 
also he traced to the same cause ? For slow fever not be- 



g() THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

ing allowed to subside for want of water, leads to inflamation 
of the mucous lining of the nose. At all events, no more 
satisfactory reason has yet been given for the origin of this 
disease. But without these after consequences, is it not 
singular that men should persist in inflicting so barbarous a 
punishment upon animals incapable of expressing their 
wants ? To be ever thirsty, yet never permitted to quench 
that thirst is the height of cruelty. Nabobs of the East have 
asserted that one of the greatest luxuries in that climate 
consists in being ever drinking, ever dry. Let them turn 
ostlers. In this country, stablemen seem to enjoy that 
luxury in a superlative degree. To quit, however, this 
little digression, how comparatively happy is the poor horse, 
not employed upon the road, but in some other perhaps 
severer daily toil, yet, when let loose, may unrestrained slake 
his thirst by a refreshing draught at the first pond or trough 
he may reach ! 

Horses feeding upon grass, and without performing any 
work, always slake their thirst at a pond three times a day ; 
and on each occasion drink not less than one pail each. 
This too, be it remembered, is when they are living upon 
succulent food. By a parity of reasoning, it must be obvious 
that they would require more water upon dry food. Why 
then give them less f Stablemen water their horses three 
times a day, morning, noon, and night, or according to their 
whim or laziness. A pail is allowed for each, but these 
buckets vary in size, containing from four to eight quarts ; 
yet a pail is a pail, and whether it be larger or smaller, to 
that quantity is the animal restricted each time. These 
men may well be called hydrophobiacs. 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 81 

To move unusually fast, with a great quantity of water in 
the horse's stomach, is bad. But give him as much as he 
will drink, yet he will not be overcharged with the fluid. 
The plan adopted in racing stables is to give the horses water 
so frequently that they will drink no more than six quarts 
at a time ; but what would be still better, where practicable, 
would be to keep a pail ot water standing by the horse, so 
that he might drink whenever he chose. A horse not put 
to the extent of his speed, can never be inconvenienced by 
being allowed the same quantity of water as tbe racer. 
Neither need any apprehension be entertained of imparing 
the condition of a roadster for work, when it is remembered 
that the racer is required to be in harder and firmer, therefore 
better, condition, than any to which it is possible to bring 
the former. 

Innkeepers often stint the horses of their food, upon the 
pretext that they cannot eat so much when they are thirsty 
and feverish, as they would if they were perfectly cool and 
tranquil. These stable-people know that the owners of 
horses are mostly satisfied, if they see hay placed before 
their steeds uneaten ; but not only will horses, if duly sup- 
plied with water, consume the small quantity of hay allowed 
them, but also a good proportion of their bedding. Some 
persons may object to giving their horses an unlimited 
quantity of water, from a notion that it may cause too 
much purging. This idea, however, is not founded in reason, 
becanse when the horse is abridged of his due allowance of 
corn, he is apt to drink too eagerly and too largely, if he 
have the opportunity, and there be no check imposed upon 
him ; but if he be brought to a full allowance by degrees, 



82 THE horseowners' companion. 

water will have no injurious effect upon the bowels. Begin, 
by giving him as much as he likes on a Saturday night ; 
then tie a pailful in the corner all Sunday, until you start 
again on Monday morning (this is under the supposition of 
your horse being constantly in use,) and always after giving 
him water, to observe the directions already recommended. 
The advantages derived therefrom will be soon experienced. 
Heed not the opposition of ostlers and others, but kok 
yourself to your orders being properly obeyed. You will 
then be amply compensated for your trouble, by your horse 
being better able to go through with his work, and 
by his lasting longer than he could possibly do under the 
starving system. The principal theories entertained by 
thousands upon this question are pure absurdities. Nature 
is not guilty of creating false appetites, when animals are 
in a state of health ; yet is she frequently accused by the 
ignorant of this preposterous error. 

It would be superfluous to show the various ways in 
which dirty water must be injurious to the animal's health ; 
but there is one absurdity so glaring, and which is so clearly 
illustrative of the bad consequences arising from stinting 
the horse of this indispensible beverage, that it must suffice 
without going more into detail. "Why is nitre given in the 
horse's water? "Because," you reply, "I observe my horse 
to be feverish, and I, therefore, give him the nitre to prevent 
his drinking too much, and for the purpose of removing the 
fever." 

Does not the increased thirst of the horse indicate as 
plainly as nature possibly can the cure of fever ? Give the 
animal as much water as he will drink, when he has fever 



THE HORSEOWNER S COMPANION. 33 

upon him : it is better than nitre ; the fluids will become 
thinner and the end desired answered. But, will it act up- 
on the bowels, and purge the horse ? Yes, and upon the 
kidneys also ; and will most likely carry away all traces of 
fever. Good, but purging weakens the horse. This is a 
mistake. While there is fever the horse must be weak ; 
remove the fever and he becomes again strong ; or, to be 
more explicit, any deviation in the pulse from the natural 
standard must cause weakness ; restore the pulse to the 
natural standard, and the horse, or the man, no matter 
which, will become well. The water, therefore, in the 
sense in which we are speaking, acts particularly as a tonic, 
recovering the strength of the horse, by reducing his pulse 
to their proper state. Water, regarded in any respect, is a 
tonic. Let a bountiful supply of it consequently not be 
deemed adverse to the health or constitution of the horse. 
It completely drives away fever, not allowing this insidious 
disease to work about the frame until it permanently settles 
in the feet or attacks the lungs. Neither with a due supply 
of water need a horse be sent to grass to prevent his becom- 
ing groggy. Give him plenty of this element, and not over- 
drive him, with ordinary care in other respects, and he will 
be almost certain to preserve his feet and body cool, his coat 
good, and his eyes perfect ; in short, he will be sound and 
healthy. 



g4 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 



CHAPTERXI. 
Stable Manaq cm cut. 

(HE secrets of success in profitable stable management 
are punctuality and regularity. These contribute to- 
wards the system which is so particularly required. 
"Without them, it is an utter impossibility for proper atten- 
tion to be directed to all the details which call for notice, 
while nothing will operate as prejudicially upon the health 
of animals. 

Early operations in the Stable consist in first making a 
general examination of each animal, particularly those 
which have been tied up by halters or chains in stalls. 

This is useful in order to detect injuries from being cast 
or loss of shoes during the night, and to detect signs of dis- 
order or illness, which it present are best reported early, 
on the principle that "a stitch in time saves nine." 

A careful inspection having been made, the animals are 
watered and fed, and while they are consuming their food 
the bedding should be turned up, and stalls and other parts 
carefully swept out. Any time remaining may be devoted 
to the examination of harness, in order to secure the clean- 
liness of pads, etc., observe defects, and have them remedied 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 35 



if possible. As soon as the food is consumed, the operation 
of cleaning is to be carried on in good earnest, which done, 
harness and prepare for daily work. 

Each horse as he comes from work is carefully examined, 
also the harness, and if nothing calls for other treatment, 
the animal is led to his stall, watered and fed, dressed down, 
bedded and left for the night. The groom has also to see 
to their being safely tied up, all lights put securely out, and 
report any irregularities, lameness, disease, etc., which he 
may observe. 

In racing stables modifications exist, and, to the credit of 
those at head quarters, we are able to establish the princi- 
ples by which punctuality and regularity may be caused to 
work so much good. Many ailments of the farm or cart 
horse are unknown in racing stables. And why? Simply 
from the fact that animals there are fed, worked, or exercised 
with the clock. If these principles pervaded the minds of 
those who keep and work, or drive carriage, cart, and cab 
horses, there would be less of those serious consequences 
which so often arise and mar the prospects. A young man 
in the racing stable, goes through a kind of apprenticeship, 
by which he becomes an fait at his duties, and habits of re- 
gularity are enforced. If coachmen and grooms in general 
had such training always, we should find that stable man- 
agement in aur towns and villages would be a question upon 
which there would be but little to condemn. In no other 
horse establishments is there such wanton waste and care- 
lessness, or where the results are more inconvenient and har- 
assing. 



36 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

In racing stables the morning hour is from five to six 
o'clock. The horses are to be fed and watered, bedding turned 
up and stables swept. Those animals going to work are next 
thoroughly dressed, and afterwards receive a small feed of 
corn if their work is likely to be hard and time will permit. 
Others merely going for exercise are wiped over and taken 
out for the prescribed time, and on their return receive a 
little hay, are clothed, have their feet examined and washed, 
and by this time is the hour for breakfast. 

The grooms on their return to the stable dress over their 
horses thoroughly, clothe, put the stable neat after sweeping 
out all manure, throw down a light clean layer of straw, 
rack up, and leave for outside duties. At noon, corn, hay, 
and water are given to resting horses. Other animals com- 
ing from work are fed and dressed on arrival. 

At four o'clock it is the custom in some stables to feed 
again with corn ; the plan in the main is very good. At 
dusk each horse has his clothing removed, is carefully wiped 
down, and reclothed. Clean or dry straw is thrown down 
for bedding, the stable utensils carefully put away, and 
water, corn, and hay supplied. Collar chains, head collars, 
and halters should be carefully examined, in order to test 
their security for horses tied up with them. 

Boys should be cautioned against leaving pails in stalls 
or boxes, unless specially ordered. 

Among cart horses, cab horses, etc., which remain an un- 
certain length of time from the stable, the nose-bag is of 
great service. It has, however, defects, one of the most 
important being detrimental to respiration. The material 
of which it is usually made is strong and of too close tex- 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANIOtf. 87 

ture ; a coarser and pervious material would be an advan- 
tage, and avoid the necessity of breathing over and over 
again the same air, by admitting a current through the meshes. 

Cleanliness. — Too much cannot be written or urged upon 
this point. Many disorders and, ailments can be traced to 
a neglect of it. Holes and corners which cannot be got at 
regnlarly should not be permitted in a stable. 

It must be borne in mind that the food, dung, urine, straw, 
etc., in stables are all capable of generating unwholesome 
gases, by their proneness to purification when lying about. 

These materially interfere with the circulation of pure 
air, and in consequence the health of horses and men suffers. 
In order to have them removed, the bedding should always 
be taken from the stall, and in fine weather spread outside 
if possible. The dirty portions are to be separated, the 
whole of the floor and drains thoroughly swept out, and 
every portion of the refuse carefully removed to a manure 
heap at a distance from the stable. 

Mangers should always be well cleansed — especially 
wooden ones — after the use of mashes or soft food of any 
kind. Woodwork of all kinds, and even harness and cloth- 
ing, require cleansing after the existence of contagious skin 
or other diseases. For this purpose a solution of black or 
pearl ashes may be used, the strength however being varied 
for the several purposes. 

For harness, clothing, and painted woodwork, two or 
three ounces to a pail of hot water will be sufficient. But to 
hare woodwork the strength may be quadrupled. 

Besides this it is sometimes necessary to use disinfectants 
of a special character. 



88 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

For the floors, crude carbolic acid in solution may be 
sprinkled over the surface, and the whole afterwards well 
scrubbed with hot water having Mack ashes in solution. 

A solution of crude carbolic acid is also eminently service- 
able for the mangers when contagion is feared. The pro- 
portions are about one pound to a gallon of water in which 
soft soap has been dissolved, with the use of large quantities 
of pure water afterwards. 

When contagious diseases are known to arise in a stable , 
remove the diseased animal at once. Carry with him all 
harness, clothing, stable utensils, etc., which have been 
used for his purposes ; do not use anything belonging to 
him for another ; and those in attendance upon him should 
not go into the stable where healthy animals are confined. 

Lastly, carry out all injunctions which may be given by 
the veterinary surgeon in attendence. He has many strong 
reasons for enforcing regulations which may not be under- 
stood by others. Upon these his success depends. Grooms 
should therefore strictly act in concert with him, and faith- 
fully carry out his desires. 

Lighting of Stables. — One of the greatest causes ot a 
want of cleanliness is the absence of light in stables. It 
also gives rise to other inconveniences. 

When stables are badly lighted, or have no windows, dirt 
accumulates, foul gases are formed, and the animal's health 
suffers in consequence. In dark stables the men cannot see 
to clean the floors properly, the air becomes impure, and 
ventilation interfered with. During the night when the 
doors are closed, the animals are nearly stifled, they be- 
come too hot and easily take cold. They also suffer 



THE HOR8EOWNERS' COMPANION. 89 

from diseases of the eyes and lungs, and in the end not 
uncommonly die, or require to be destroyed on account 
of glanders. In the morning, when the doors are opened 
for carrying on the operations of the stable, the air is 
penetrating and suffocating, and while these go on, 
draughts of cold air in winter produce baneful effects. 

Wherever such stables exist they should be altered, 
large windows and ventilators put in to admit nature's 
great purifiers, light and air. 

Temperature of the Stable. — This is of great importance 
to the horse proprietor. Heated stables usually indicate 
deficient ventilation, but the two must not be confounded. 

The temperature of a stable will materially effect all 
new comers. Horses that have been out at grass, should 
never be brought into stables where others are confined. The 
only safe practice is to put them first into a shed or hovel, 
and gradually introduce them to work and the stable at the 
same time. It has been truly observed, that under neglect 
of these precautions the animal is likely to suffer far more 
than by being exposed to the contrary changes. 

In all cases regulate the temperature of the stable by 
allowing foul air to escape effectually, without establishing 
currents over the animals. In summer the temperature may 
be considerably elevated above 60 ° , but nevertheless the 
atmosphere may be rendered quite as pure as can be ex- 
pected, and to reduce that temperature would be impossible. 

The object of maintaining a cool state of the temperature 
in buildings, is to promote healthy respiration, purification 
of the blood, and ventilation. 



90 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

Grooming or Dressing. — With regard to implements for 
this purpose but little need be said. They are well known 
to most persons. It is to their proper use that our remarks 
will apply in greatest force. 

The curry-comb is intended for use when the coat is clap- 
ped to the skin and glued, as it were, by the products of 
perspiration. It may be used also to the dirty legs of cart- 
horses when dry, or to the bodies when the old coat is to be 
gradually removed. But grooms should be warned against 
using it with too mnch roughness, as the animal is irritated, 
and temper not uncommonly spoiled, while injuries are 
sometimes inflicted. 

The main use of the curry-comb is to clean the brush; 
which, used by the right or left hand, according to circum- 
stances is to be plied with vigor. 

The body brush is oval in outline and provided with a 
strap across the middle, through which the working hand 
is put. A great fault in many of these brushes consist in 
the bristles being too weak and too close. They thus fail 
to reach the skin. 

The dandy, or whalebone brush, is a most useful agent in 
removing loose and rough dirt from the body and legs, mane 
and tail, and should deservedly find a place in more stables 
than it does. 

The wisp is made of straw, and also of soft hay, the former 
is to be used for rough purposes, while the latter is damp- 
ed and used at a later stage. 

The rubber consists of linen orflannel, usually the former, 
made up like a towel, having a loop that it may hang up 
when done with. Many grooms use also two chamois skins, 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 91 

or wash leathers — the one for wet, the other for dry- 
purposes. 

Foot pickers are required to remove imprisoned stones or 
other objects from the feet after journeys, and water brushes 
for washing them. 

After this enumeration of stable tools, and the groom is 
provided with a requisite number, the rest depends upon 
himself. The appearance of a horse always reflects the 
character of the groom ; no better test need be resorted to. 

A ceKain gentlemen, well known for his superior stable 
management, when asked by the writer how many grooms 
he kept, replied, "Three helpers and one groom ; that groom 
is myself. I look on and have the things done in proper 
order. That is the reason you are able to admire the clean 
aud tidy state of the place and animals. " 

Good grooming removes dirt, and the products of perspir- 
ation from the skin, which if allowed to remain obstructs 
natural and healthy functions and endangers health. The 
proof that horses are well groomed, is shown by the clean 
shining skin and absence of dirt on the finger when it is 
passed over the hair. The operation not only removes dirt, 
but causes a quickened circulation of blood in the skin. 
This helps to remove by perspiration useless parts from the 
body, and gives further nutrition to the skin and hair, hence 
the improved appearance, better health, and consumption of 
a less amount of food than in other horses. 

Dressing is usually carried on in succussive stages. 

First, the curry-comb is carefully used to all parts when 
the hair is matted and glued down, the direction being in 
that of the hair itself. 



92 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

Second, usually the straw wisp or dandy brush to the 
whole of the body. 

Third, the body brush in one hand and the curry-comb 
held in the opposite, to remove dirt from the bristles. The 
brush also goes over the whole of the animal in a thorough 
manner. 

Fourth, the damp hay-wisp also, applied with a will. 

Fifth, the dandy brush to main and tail, and 

Lastly, the rubber, to use the whole of which occupies 
fully one hour. 

The operation of dressing horses should always be set 
about as soon as possible after entering the stable in the 
morning, excepting of course while horses are eating their 
provender and when required to go out to exercise. 

A good daily grooming is absolutely necessary, independ- 
ent of that which is required after coming from work. Those 
animals which have not been out of the stable since exercise 
need only their clothing removed, dressed with the cloth 
rubber, and reclothed. 

The operation should if possible be always conducted in 
an outhouse or shed for the purpose. Grooming in stables 
is prejudicial, and should be avoided on the score of health. 

Washing the Legs. — The use of water in washing horses' 
legs is often very much abused. Without care nothing pro- 
duces more inconvenience. 

In many places the blessings of pure water have been 
extolled and received as a cure almost for everything, and, 
acting upon the belief, the converts imagine that they "can- 
not*have too much of a good thing." Results are,- however, 
against the supposition. The evil consequences are, crack- 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 98 

ed heels, swelled legs, grease, etc., all of which may be 
avoided in ninety-five cases out of a hundred 

In many stables visited by the writer, the horses when re- 
turning from work, cold, tired, and hungry, are compelled 
to stand some minutes while each leg, almost to the middle 
of the body, in very dirty weather, is drenched with water 
from a hose. From this cause a man is almost constantly 
kept to dress the legs, which are unusually affected. In 
one establishment, from out of nearly one hundred and 
twenty horses, one-third had to be thrown off work in con- 
sequence of internal disease arising. Carriage horses and 
hacks suffer much from cracked heels, while their breed de- 
fends them frequently from grease. All this comes from 
the treatment to which they are subjected afterwards. 

To the mere washing of the horses' legs, if conducted pro- 
perly, none can offer objection. In wet dirty weather, when 
the hair is matted with mud, no animal can rest comfort- 
ably with such an accumulation about them. If allowed to 
remain, the sand and grit is moved during exercise to the 
wrinkles of the skin about the joints and the parts are chafed, 
soon becoming raw, and presenting obstinate sores. By all 
means let the filth be removed as quickly as possible, using 
in summer cold, and in winter warm water. A good brush 
with a small quantity of soap will also be required. 

Next press out the superfluous water and briskly rub with 
coarse towels kept for the purpose, and put loosely a band- 
age upon each leg as high as the parts that have been wash, 
ed, which should scarcely ever be above the knees or hocks 
This process will very certainly limit the number of cases 
of cracked heels, grease, etc., all of which occur from the 



94 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

amount of cooling to which these parts are exposed when 
wet. If any person wishes to test the truth of this state- 
ment, let him go out of doors with his head and hair fresh 
from beneath a stream of water. The experiment may be 
repeated from day to day, but like the horses' it will be 
found he will never become so hard as to be able to defy the 
consequences. 

We frequently hear in stables the directions given "to be 
sure and rub the legs dry." Whoever gives such instruc- 
tions, cannot be aware of the impossibility almost which 
they require, unless men and horses are entirely deprived of 
rest. The easiest and most economical method is decidedly 
the use of flannel or linen bandages. For cart-horses a 
coarse kind of material is obtained, low in price and exceed- 
ingly strong, commonly used to make wrappers for linen 
goods. 

Bandages are usually required about four yards long, and 
three to five inches wide. At one end the corners areturned in 
and stitched down, and upon the narrow part is also stitch- 
ed a piece of tape doubled, so as to allow the use of the free 
ends for tying. 

The usual plan is to take a piece of flannel or other 
material of the requisite length, and tear it up into ribbons 
of the proper width. For large cart-horses they will be re- 
quired at least five yards long and five or six inches wide. 
By their use the legs dry rapidly through the means of 
natural heat, and in this way the groom will generally be 
enabled to remove them, and rub down the legs before 
leaving for the night. 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 95 

Clothing. — The object of clothing horses is to compensate 
for the loss of temperature from the body which naturally 
takes place in cold weather. For this purpose woollen 
blankets are employed, which are kept on the body by 
means of a roller. Hoods and breast clothes are also used 
with additional clothing as the weather demands, but in this 
sometimes error occurs. Too much clothing renders the 
animal sensitive, by keeping up great action in the skin, 
while health is prejudiced thereby. In most instances, 
proper exercise, pure air, and moderate clothing will be 
found most conducive to health. 

Bedding. — The material used for bedding horses varies 
according to the locality. That most generally used is the 
straw of wheat, selected principally on account of its brittle- 
ness, which prevents the animal getting his feet entangled 
and injury occurring. 

Oat straw is usually considered objectionable on account 
of its toughness. Barley straw is too dusty, and causes 
great irritation of the skin. 

In wheat straw there is an advantage in the fact that 
beds made of it are cleanly and comfortable. 

The service and economy in each of these substances vary 
in accordance with the condition in which they are used, as 
well as supply. That none, however, are equal to a straw 
bed few will deny. 

It is important to allow horses good beds. They are 
prevented from doing damage to their limbs or skin, and, 
besides, rest much better, and thus is preserved greatly 
their usefulness. 



96 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

Manure heaps should be removed as far as possible from 
buildings, as the putrefaction which usually goes on, result- 
ing in hurtful emanations or disagreeable smells, contamin- 
ates the air of all places where animal life exists, and ren- 
ders it unfit to support it for any length of time in a healthy 
manner. 

When tanks or places for manure are made, care is to be 
observed that they are not located near wells from which 
water is drawn for drinking. If space will not admit of 
this being carried out, the receptacle should be lined with 
bricks and cement, to prevent the fluid portions from perco- 
lating the soil, running along drains, and then finding their 
way to drinking water. 

Clipping and Singeing. — These are to be viewed as 
necessary evils attendant upon the keeping of horses. There 
are arguments to be adduced, strong in their tendency to- 
wards truth, and bid fair to destroy the validity of the 
grounds upon which the practices are based. There are, 
however others which are equally strong in their justification 
and continuance. 

Both these operations bring about the same result — viz., 
reducing the length of the coat or hairs over the whole body. 

Clipping is performed by a scissors and a comb, and recent- 
ly by a newly-invented machine which bids fair to answer 
well the purpose. 

Singeing consists of burning off the hair by means of a 
lamp charged with naphtha, spirits of wine, or, what is 
better, coal gas. 

The merits of each operation are considered to be widely 
different. While by the use of the new clipping machine 



THE HORSEOWXERS COMPANION. 97 

a horse can be deprived of his coat in a most incredibly 
short space of time, simple division of the hair is thought 
to favor exudation or evaporation of the fluid nutritive por- 
tions which occupy the interior. The advocates of singeing 
el aim an advantage by their process in which the end of 
each hair tube is sealed up by the insoluble portion left up- 
on the end, 

Both these opinions are worthy of being remembered ; 
but nevertheless it may be safely argued the disadvantages 
resulting from the operation of clipping are certainly not 
covered by that of singeing. 

It must be evident to all who give consideration to the 
subject that singeing has mach greater disadvantages than 
even clipping under the more protracted mode by scissors 
and comb. We need only mention that the flame alone is 
sufficient to render many horses very tedious and trouble- 
some. Some will not permit it to approach them, while 
others stand trembling, and a sudden fit of perspiration 
at once proclaims this impossible. 

In singeing also, the skin is not unfrequently burned, 
eyes are damaged, main and tail disfigured. And lastly, 
it is a dirty and tedious operation. It answers well for taking 
off the thin hairs which continually shoot up during the 
winter ; but for effectually and expeditiously removing the 
coat, the machine, when in proper order and efficiently 
worked, is decidedly to be preferred. 



98 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 



CHAPTER XII. 
(Btncxal ^rraugjemeut of JStabUa. 

|P||ERY little variation exists in the plan of arrangement 
iMSf in stables. Out of many hundreds of such buildings, 
^° as well as cowhouses, that I have visited, not more 
than a few attempts are made to depart from the one com- 
mon principle of tying up to the wall, or manger which pro- 
jects from it. The prevalence of the system surely indicates 
a very slow march in the way of improvement, and points 
out how few must be the resources where it is adopted with- 
out change. 

The tying up of animals in numbers beneath one roof, 
separated by board partitions running at right angles to the 
wall, is a very defective system, and obstructive to the cir- 
culation of air in a proper manner, to say nothing of the 
great hardship which is inflicted upon the animal in being 
compelled to look at a blank wall continually when in the 
house. 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 99 

In addition we usually find holes are either made or re- 
commended to be placed over his head. Unfortunately, by 
making merely a hole we do not compel the foul air to go 
out there as we might be led to believe. Sometimes it may 
do so, when it cannot fail to rise upwards from the floor 
and carry with it the hurtful emanations of dung and urine. 
These pass beneath the very nose of the horse or cow, and 
are breathed to their detriment. On the other hand, we 
may expect cold air to ,find its way through, and falling up- 
on the head, produce a chilly stratum which gives rise to 
sore throats and other affections. The writer is aware of 
such a stable producing great damage at times. 

Imperfect arrangement induces all kinds of unsystematic 
and unscientific principles of cleanliness and ventilation. 
When cold air reverses the order of currents, straw is at 
once stuffed into the channel and another extreme brought 
about. Thus one evil stalks in the train of another, and we 
fail to recognize them frequently until too late. 

In order to overcome the many disadvantages which 
occur from the present system of tying up horses and cattle 
to the wall, a plan has been adopted, in several instances 
with success, by which neatness of arrangement and ap- 
pearance are in perfect keeping with other points. The 
stalls are placed in one or two rows, as in the old system, 
according to the size of the building, which should be wider 
than they are usually made. 

Each animal has allotted to him a space equivalent to 
1500 cubic feet, in which he can breathe freely. This would 
require a stall 6 feet wide, 9 feet long, with height above 
to the extent of 14 feet, 3 feet in front of manger, and 6 



100 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

feet behind the stalls. The mangers are accordingly brought 
3 feet clear from the wall and placed between the stall par- 
titions. This plan thus leaves a foot-path between the wall 
and manger which is used for the purpose of feeding the 
animals. 

Behind each stall the space allowed answers for passage 
in and out and proper cleaning operations, while animals 
enjoy a purer atmosphere, and the whole admits of a better 
principle of lighting and ventilation jto be carried on. 

Stable floors should be of the very best kind. When holes 
or other irregularities are present, dung and urine accumu- 
late in fermenting masses and interfere with the health of 
the inmates. 

Stable drains are a great nuisance in many instances. 
Drain traps are likely to prove a greater nuisance than 
that which they were intended originally to set aside. On 
account of the drain becoming plugged up below by breaking, 
damage, or stoppage of solid matters, all the gases which 
result midway find their outlet back through the trap. 

To remedy this, we now recommend all stench traps to 
be placed outside the building. The drains inside are to be 
made very wide and shallow, having a moderate fall to 
carry off the water. By this arrangement there is less dan- 
ger from horses slipping, and no possibility of getting feet or 
shoes fast in them. 

Loose boxes are invaluable where horses are kept. No 
stable where there is more than one horse should be without 
them. They are far preferable to stalls under most circum- 
stances, but are not always admissible, on account of de- 
ficiency of room. 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 101 

A loose box is a great advantage to a sick horse. For 
that purpose it should be situate at a distance from the usual 
stable, as a guard against infectious or contagious diseases. 
It should be well lighted and ventilated by the wall below, 
or door, and above bv the roof. The dimensions should be 
not less than twelve feet square, with twelve feet space in a 
perpendicular direction also. The floor composed of hard 
impervious material slightly falling to the centre, so as to 
cause urine, etc., to flow off by means of a very shallow 
and wide open drain to the outside. 

The doors should slide along the wall on the outside if 
possible ; an arrangement which is more approved than their 
being hung upon hinges. When doors are hung upon the out- 
side, horses have been known to draw the door towards the 
wall by their head, and thus nearly hang themselves. To 
allow of fresh air, a rail or bar door is useful. It should 
fit the doorway from top to bottom. Halt doors are objec- 
tionable. 



CHAPTERXIII. 

8Tf)£ Ccmses of ^Disease, emir its Pretention. 

fN a majority of instances disease arises from mismanage- 
ment and a want of the proper principles which insure 
health. Imperfect stable management is a prolific 



102 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 



source. Much of this has already been detailed. If we 
need incontrovertible proof, we have but to turn to racing 
stables where all is order and perfection. There disease 
seldom appears. If its does, in ninety-nine cases out of a 
hundred it is of the most intractable character, and traced 
to be dependent upon causes beyond control. 

Among many of our farm and town studs, feeding upon 
inferior provender, and the use of so called "alterative" 
medicine, works great mischief. The common principle is 
to allow mismanagement to proceed for some time, and con- 
stantly drug the animals with medicines of which the groom 
can know but very little. The use of nitre (saltpetre) is 
frequently attended with baneful results. The lowering and 
cooling properties of this salt are such that when it is sup- 
posed that one disease is driven out, the animal is not un- 
likely to be affected with sore throats, coughs, and colds. 

When horses are treated properly, then exists a state 
which we call health. That word means more than is usually 
ascribed to it, and signifies that condition which admits of 
no improvement. Of what use then are the medicines so 
commonly and constantly used to nauseate and interfere 
with the animal functions ? Such things cannot be adminis- 
tered without producing a disturbance in the system. That 
disturbance is not unlike disease, and is used by the medical 
man to overcome, as it were, any unhealthy condition which 
he may be called upon to eradicate. 

Into no greater mistake can owners an~ stablemen fall 
than to suppose it is consistent with reason to drug an 
animal in health, or that medicines given regularly prevent 
disease. The reverse is frequently the result. But tell such 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION, .103 

people that disease is always, or nearly always, the result of 
mismanagement, neglect, or want of forethought and know- 
ledge, they would laugh in derision. "We do know how 
to manage," say they ; "give us information how to cure." 
Such was the statement of an individual a short time ago. 
He had boasted how he managed, of his profits, and how he 
kept his animals in health, but nevertheless lost greater 
part of his stock by rats-management. 

It is far better to prevent than to cure.- — The laws of the 
former are better understood than the laws of the latter, 
and should comprise greatly the foundation of every man's 
ordinary education. But how expensively and roundabout 
do many choose to go to work. Actually allow disease, the 
thief, to enter a stock- 1 — the stable, and even favor its en- 
trance by taking off the bolts and bars, t. e., lowering and 
devitalizing the constitution by medicines when the animal 
is in health. After the steed is stolen, lamentation occurs, 
and a lock — the veterinary surgeon — is sent for, and expected 
to restore that which is lost. 

Owners and grooms would profit much more by the study 
of duty and management, than that of the actions and uses 
of medicines which is an affair of a lifetime. Let them be- 
come perfect in stable management, it will gain them far 
more lasting emolument than they can hope for in a scientific 
path which their feet are not designed by nature to tread. 

THE DISEASES OP HORSES. 

Before mentioning the principal diseases to which a horse 
is liable, we must enter a protest against the system of 



104 THE horseo weeks' companion. 

drenching and drugging pursued by some owners towards 
their horses, and still more practiced by grooms upon the 
animals entrusted to their care. It is well to have a general 
knowledge of the diseases of horses, and to be able to dis- 
tinguish between a trifling ailment and a sickness of a more 
serious nature, likewise to know what measures to adopt in 
cases of emergency, in the absence of the veterinary surgeon 
who ought however, to be applied to at once, in every case 
of real illness. Nothing is more likely to be injurious, and 
even fatal, to a good horse, than injudicious and indiscrim- 
inate physicking 

The following are some of the diseases that occur most 
frequently : — 

Blood Spavin. — This is an affection of the hock joint P 
mostly caused by over-exertion, resulting in inflamation of 
the secretion intended for lubricating the hock joint ; it is 
considered incurable. This does not always produce lame- 
ness, for there is an instance on record of a very handsome 
brown mare which has had a spavin of this kind for seven 
years, yet no sign of positive lameness has ever manifested 
itself; but in nineteen cases out of twenty blood spavin ter- 
minates in extreme stiffness of the joints, if not in decided 
lameness. 

Bone Spavin. — This disease affects the inside of the hock 
joint, and no cure is known for it. It is caused by unequal 
pressure upon the small bones of that particular part of the 
hock, and is often the result of violent contortions, or twist- 
ing of the horse in his first lessons of training, or shoeing, 
by which the legs are thrown out of their natural formation 
and growth, thus displacing some of the small bones, becom- 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 105 

ing a bony deposit ; or enlargements take place, gradually 
growing larger, and resolving itself into a confirmed spavin. 
Blistering, in its early stages, in some degree, counteracts 
the effect ; but when the horse is valuable, or happens to be 
a favorite, the cautery is generally resorted to, which braces 
up the part ; but considerable stiffness, and generally decided 
lameness, more or less for life, is the invariable result. 

Broken-windedness. — The broken- winded condition of 
horses is mostly brought about by carelessness on the part 
of their owners, or persons whe feed and use them. In- 
flamation of the lungs is almost always a certain fore-runner 
of broken-windedness. Hay given in unlimited quantities, 
or corn, until the horse has over-charged his stomach, and 
then severe exertion forced upon him, will occasion ruptures 
in the cejls of the lungs, and thus cause the horse to breathe 
irregularly. 

Gorns are produced by bad shoeing ; they arisa from un- 
natural pressure, Pare them out and remove the cause, and 
the effect will cease. 

Curb is an enlargement of a circular form immediately 
beneath and on the back part of the hock joint ; it is caused 
by over exertion when young, and often after full growth ; 
considerable stiffness is the result, for which there is no 
better known remedy than blistering or firing, and long 
intervals of rest. 

Glanders. — This is a most dangerous and infectious dis- 
ease of the nostrils, and the law justifies any man destroying 
an animal which he can prove is afflicted with it, anywhere 
and under any circumstances. Many recent instances of 
human beings being afflicted with it have occurred, death 



106 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

being the result. The symptoms are something like those 
of hydrophobia. 

If a glandered horse enters a stable, all the horses in that 
stable will take the complaint, and there is no cure for it. 
Unprincipled dealers resort to a process called "plugging," 
which is carried into effect by pushing tow high up into the 
nostrils, first applying cayenne or snuff, which makes the 
horse snort out all the matter that may be at that time in 
his nostrils ; a strong solution of alum water is then injected, 
which, acting as an estringent, for a time stops the discharge. 
The animal afflicted with this disease always has an uneasy 
appearance about the head,which he constantly keeps moving ; 
the insides of the nostrils are red and inflamed, and if you go 
near him you can at once detect it by the foul smell of his 
breath : the best way is to destroy him at o nee by shooting 
or blowing. Blowing is a method of destroying a horse 
much to be preferred to the ordinary practices of shooting or 
poleaxing. The horse dies far more easily and much quicker. 
It is performed in the following manner : — Open the vein 
in the horse's neck, insert a small tube, made for the purpose, 
into the incision, and quickly apply your mouth to the other 
end, and blow with all your might. The blood is sent back 
to the heart, and the veins are filled with air ; the horse 
staggers, falls, and. with a gasp or two for his fast-expiring 
breath, dies without pain or struggling. 

Inflammation. — The most common and fatal disease is 
inflammation of the lungs. It is generally the result of allow- 
ing the horse to stand still while in a heated state. In- 
flammation of the bowels aud intestines often arises from 
overloading the stomach after the horse has been a long 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 107 

time without food, which cannot be digested, and conse 9 
quently it obstructs the passage to the bowels, and the horse 
appears languid and sleepy, refuses his food, and if a passage 
be not quickly made through him, inflammation of the bowels 
will take place ; he rakes the ground with his fore feet, and 
is often convulsed, which will finally end in stomach-stag, 
gers. The colic is caused by allowing the horse to drink 
while heated, or allowing him to go too long without feeding ; 
standing in the rain and cold ; this will sometimes end in in- 
flammation of the bowels. In such case apply the brush and 
wisp vigorously, which will cause him to sweat, and trot 
him about briskly, and the evil will often disappear by these 
means alone ; but the best thing is to apply to a veterinary 
surgeon at once. 

Inflammation of the feet is considered the most painful and 
the most malignant disease with which the feet are afflicted ; 
its presence is ascertained by placing your hand on the hoof 
when great and unnatural heat is felt ; and if you tap the 
hoof slightly with your toe, the most intense pain is instant- 
ly seen to manifest itself. In the absence of a veterinary 
surgeon, you had better at once take off the shoe ; bleed in the 
toe, poultice and give a dose of physic and bran mashes. 
But the best plan is to send for a surgeon. 

Splints. — The splint is an enlargement of a spiral form 
in the inside of the fore leg. It is sometimes caused by 
kicks from ignorant or brutal grooms, but it is often the re- 
sult of hard work before the animal has arrived at maturity, 
and before the splint-bone is properly set. Mild blistering 
and rest will often effect a cure. If taken in time it rarely 



108 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

causes lameness, except where the upper end connects itself 
with the knee joint, thereby interfering with its free action. 

Windgalls are visible in most aged horses that have done 
a moderate quantity of work. They consist of soft and 
puffy enlargements upon and round the fetlock-joint. 

Stumbling. — When this is not the consequence of malfor- 
mation of the horse, it is to be prevented ; and even if the 
make of the animal be such that he cannot avoid falling 
when he is leg- wearied, it is to be relieved, and leg-weariness 
eased, by attention to the preceding observations on food, 
mashes and water. The strength and courage of a horse 
is sustained by a sufficient quantity of nutritive food. 
Mashes serve to keep off that low fever, which, if not pre- 
vented, ultimately ruins him. But plenty of water, has 
more than all to do with the prevention of fever, by as- 
sisting the proper digestion of the food. Now, horses 
subjected to good treatment in the way prescribed, will be 
infinitely less liable to that slow fever which is the sure pre- 
curser of inflammation of the feet. 

When a horse is first observed to stumble, stop and band- 
age the feet as already described. Give him a short allow- 
ance of water at night, and as much as he will drink just be- 
fore starting in the morning. The adoption of this plan will 
answer the purpose of a dose of physic and will probably 
prevent inconvenient stoppages on the road. Should this, 
however, not answer the end desired, the feet should, at the 
same time, be bathed in warm water, and wet woolen band- 
ages be immediately applied. 

Harness and Saddle Galls. — Great care should be taken 
that the harness is properly adjusted to a horse and that all 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION, 109 

stuffing should be kept soft and smooth, which may readily 
be done by causing it every now and then to be dried by 
the fire or in the sun, and then beat with a stick. There 
should be no chafing of the back bone. Where a collar is worn, 
it is better to have it rather small than large. A large collar is 
sure to wring the horses neck ; a small one never will. Where 
swelling has occurred in consequence of the collar either be- 
ing dirty or too large — bathe the shoulders with alum and 
cold water. 

The crupper should also be loose ; a tight one will often 
provoke a horse to kick ; even where the tail is not rubbed 
into a state of rawness. 

It is proper to observe that the front of the blinders be 
kept wide enough from the eyes of the horse. This precau- 
tion will prevent the blinders pressing upon and inflaming 
the eyes ; and at the same time prevent him seeing behind 
them, as he mostly can when they are tight in front. 

It is better to have the weight thrown off the back, than 
upon it ; that is to say, let the shafts at the back hand be 
rather too high than too low. 

In order to cure a sore back, where the skin is off, bathe 
the place every morning with warm water, and also at night 
when putting up ; taking care, after each bathing, to apply a 
little ointment made of hog's lard and burnt alum, spread on 
a piece of linen (the full size of the sore) ; and then be care- 
ful to prevent chafing ; a few days will effect a cure. 

Again : if, from friction, the neck should become raw be- 
fore any injury is observed, no time should be lost in bath" 
ino* it with warm water, and rubbing in the alum ointment' 
which may be obtained at any chemist's. But, mark, the 



110 • THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION, 

v 

collar must be prevented touching the sore. When warm 
water is mentioned, it is not meant to be more than temper- 
ately warm, and not so hot as to scald ; yet still as warm as 
the animal can conveniently bear it ; for it should be remem- 
bered that water only moderately hot to the hand, may be 
sufficiently so to scald the horse. 

Broken Knees, — Persons who have travelled mucn have 
probably observed that horses accustomed to road-work, 
particularly if they should come under the description of 
those which are let out to hire, are frequently broken kneed. 
If you enquire of these traffickers in horses the reason of so 
many animals being blemished in this manner, they will 
generally give the most unsatisfactory answers. They tell 
you it is by throwing the horse down, but which is a phrase ap- 
propriate only in certain cases. By over-working a horse, 
and so making him weary on his legs, he will probably fall 
and so far the phrase of throwing him down may not be in- 
correct. It is scarcely possible to throw down a good horse 
under proper treatment, but, under contrary usage, it is 
equally difficult to keep him firm upon his legs. 

Paradoxical though it may seem, the worst, as well as the 
best horsemen meet with the fewest accidents, by falls. A 
good rider, or driver, allows his horse to go as he pleases ; 
the animal, therefore, does not fatigue himself uselessly ; as 
his master exercises the precaution of taking advantage of 
circumstances to assist him as much as possible. A bad 
rider is too timid to play tricks with a horse, and the animal 
is consequently, from a very different cause, left much to 
his own way, and thus there is the less liability to accident in 
this case. But the self-conceited rider, or driver, mars 



Ill 



nature, checks the animal in his step, ultimately renders 
him what is termed tied in the shoulders, and is always keep- 
ing him on the fret. The result is, that the horse becomes 
leg-weary much sooner than he would otherwise be, and 
hence he is more apt to stumble and fall. But if you ask a 
gentleman of the description alluded to, why he thus keeps 
his horse in a continual fidget, the answer would probably 
be, it is to keep him up. 

But as accidents, from a variety of causes, will be ever 
occurring to horses, it will not be irrelevent to say some- 
thing as to the mode of cure, as well as the means of pre- 
vention. In the case of injured knees, or falls, as soon after 
the accident has occurred as possible, the knees should be 
well bathed for some time, with hot water, even though they 
should not be grazed ; as this timely precaution will tend to 
prevent swelling from a bruise. If the knees should be cut, 
they should be well washed and cleansed from even the 
smallest particle of gravel they may have received. Let 
them afterwards be well bathed for a moderate period ; but 
no grease of any kind should be applied to the wounded part. 
If the cut be not deep, a little burnt alum, finely powdered, 
and laid over the place, so as to dry it and keep off the dust, 
will suffice ; but if the wound should be of a more serious 
nature, the better plan is always to call in the assistance of 
a veterinary surgeon. Ostlers, or stablemen, in cases of this 
kind shonld never be trusted ; their nostrums, or supposed 
remedies, are invariably worse than the disease. The ap- 
plication of grease is always injurious, yet ostlers will persist 
if you let them, in using it upon every slight occassion : it 
always irritates the skin. When it is desirable to conceal 



112 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 



a hurt, it may be done by mixing up a little soot with burnt 
alum. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
tyoxBt ©anting. 

§f§SlHE most concise book that professes to treat of horses 

To ^ 

||-@ would be considered incomplete without some remarks 
Cwi on this subject, which has of late excited so much at- 
tention. It is not supposed that the general reader will be 
anxious to try his hand at subjugating unruly kickers and 
vicious horses, generally ; but it is advantageous to all to 
know the rules by which rebellious equine nature may be 
brought to submission ; and to appreciate how in the educa- 
tion of horses, as in that of bipeds, the law of kindness is 
alike invaluable. The whole subject teaches the great and 
important lesson,that at least half of what we are accustomed 
to designate as vice is mere nervousness and timidity on the 
part of the young horse, and will vanish before the efforts of 
the tamer who has wit and tact enough to persuade his four- 
footed pupil that he intends him no harm. 

The publication of the work describing Rarey's system ot 
horse-taming, and of Mr. Telfer's manual on the same sub- 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 113 

ject, gave the public an insight into the means by which 
these wonderful results are brought about. The chief 
point on which the whole process turns are firmness and 
kindness judiciously combined. The directions given for 
haltering a very wild colt, may serve as a sample of the 
system. Mr. Telfer's mode of procedure is as follows : — 

"If your colt be running loose in company with other young 
horse in a field, drive the whole herd into a small enclosure and 
carefully separate the one you require from the others, by 
letting them pacs, one by one, out of the gateway, until the 
animal yon are about to halter is the only one remaining, 
he will become very unsettled by being left alone, but, hav- 
ing provided yourself with a very quiet old horse, you can 
introduce him to keep him company, Leave them together 
a short time, and, when you again visit them, bring with 
you a piece of carrot, or a little corn in your pocket ; take 
not the slightest notice of your colt for a time, but com- 
mence to feed, from your hand, the old horse, and the colt 
will commence walking around you, or sometimes he will 
stand still at a short distance and observe your movements, 
approaching nearer and nearer, until he is close to you and 
the horse. You may now offer him the carrot, which, in 
all probability, he will touch with his nose first and then bite 
after which he will immediately poke his nose out and beg^ 
as it were, for more ; all this time have the head part of 
your leather halter in the same hand from which you offer 
him the carrot or corn — carrot is best — all horses are im, 
moderately fond of carrots. This will familiarise him with 
the touch of the halter, and he will care nothing about it 
You must not be impatient to put on the halter as he will 



114 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

not leave you now ; keep caressing the old horse, for the 
colt will stand by and watch every movement, and this will 
teach him that you do not intend to hurt him. Keep putting 
out your hand and let him touch it with his nose frequently, 
and he will, in one hour from the commencement, allow 
you to place the halter on his head ; taking the old horse in 
your left hand, and the colt with your right, with a slack 
hold of the halter, and a bit of carrot in it, occasionally stop- 
ping to give him a taste, you may lead him anywhere. Now, 
let some other person take hold of the horse, and stand at a 
little distance, while you lead the colt slowly round in a 
small circle in the centre of the enclosure, which accustoms 
him to the track he is hereafter to pace under more difficult 
circumstances, stop him a few times, at short intervals, and, 
taking hold of the hair on his fetlock, give a slight tug, and 
say, 'Hold up' laying a strong emphasis on the word 'up. 9 
Have patience with him, and he will soon understand and 
obey you, by picking up his foot, which he, however, some- 
times will quickly replace upon the ground ; but keep re- 
peating this action and words, and he will, after a few at- 
tempts, allow you to retain his foot in your left hand. It 
must be remembered that I am now speaking of very wild 
colts. The same system should be adopted in all cases 
when young horses are first haltered ; but the time and 
patience required depend solely upon the character of your 
subject/' 

The taming process, which we have not space to describe 
particularly, is effected by means of some straps fastened to 
the horse's forelegs, and a great deal of judicious manage- 
ment ; this much should, however, be understood by every- 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. JJo 



one who empolys a horse, or has the control of one of 
these useful animals in any capacity whatever — that what is 
called vice in a horse arises, in nine cases out of ten, from 
fear ; that many a noble horse has been confirmed in his 
fault, and utterly spoiled by the ignorance and brutality of 
would-be trainers and grooms ; and that the true maxim 
upon which to proceed in managing this most valuable of 
the dumb servants of man, is the precept we have from the 
very highest of all authority, that u a merciful man is merci- 
ful to his beast." 

It may not be amiss in this connection to say something 
on the subject of shying horses. 

Shying is sometimes the effect of fear and sometimes of 
vice, and there are many horses which begin by the for- 
mer and end with the latter in consequence of mismanage- 
ment. The young colt is always more or less shy, especially 
if he is brought at once from the retired fields in which he 
was reared to the streets of a busy town. There are, how- 
ever, numberless varieties of shyers, some being alarmed 
by one kind of object which to another is not at all formid- 
able. When a horse finds that he gains his object, by turn- 
ing round, he will often repeat the turning without cause, 
pretending to be alarmed and looking out for excuses for it. 
This is not at all uncommon, and with timid riders leads to 
a discontinuance of the ride by which the horse gains his 
end for the time, and repeats the trick on the first occasion: 
In genuine shying from fear, the eyes are generally defective, 
but sometimes this is not the case, and then the shying 
comes from a general irritability of the nervous system. 
Then there are many which never shy at meeting wagons or 



116 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

other similar objects but almost drop with fear on a small 
bird flying near their heads. These are also worse because 
they give no notice, whereas the ordinary shyer almost al- 
ways shows by his ears that he is prepared to turn. 

For Shyers the only remedy is to take as little notice as 
possible, to make light of the occurrence, speak encourag- 
ingly yet rather severely and to get them by the object some- 
how or other. If needful, the aid of the whip may be called 
in but not as a punishment. If the horse can be urged by 
the object without the whip, so much the better, but if not 
he must be compelled to do so by its use. Whenever fear 
is the cause of shying, punishment only adds to that fear ; 
but where vice has supplanted fear, severity should be used 
to correct it. As a rule the whip need never be used unless 
the horse turns absolutely round, and not then unless there 
is reason to suspect that he is pretending fear. If only he 
will go by the object, even with a wide berth, he may be 
suffered to go on his way unpunished and nothing is so bad 
as the absurd severity which some men exercise after the 
horse has conquered his reluctance and passed the object. 
At this time he should be praised and patted with all the en- 
couragement which can be given, but on no account should 
he be taught to make those rushes which we so often see on 
the road, from the improper use of the whip. 

Running Away is only an extreme form of pulling in the 
gallop, but sometimes it is of the most vicious descrip- 
tion. It is a good plan with determined brutes to make 
them gallop to a stand still by giving them an up-hill burster. 
This will generally answer, but occasionally there is a horse 
which is made worse by this treatment. Still, it generally 



THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 117 

succeeds and most horses are rendered quiet for some time 
by such an effort ; nevertheless they generally try again as 
soon as they are fresh, and they are certainly not to be trust- 
ed with any but experienced drivers. It is of no use to 
pull dead at these animate, but it is better to let them go 
when there is plenty of room, and then to try what a sharp 
and severe pull will do ; not keeping it up too long if in- 
effectual, but loosing the mouth again for a time, and then 
try ag^n. Sometimes, however, there is no room for this, 
and then the only plan is to try and bring the head round, 
either with a view of galloping in a circle, or to run the 
head against a fence or wall. Sometimes anything is prefer- 
able to a straight course, as for instance when the running 
away occurs in a crowded thoroughfare. Here the horse 
must be pulled into anything which will stop him and all 
risks must be run of damaging him. He should be rushed 
full tilt against the obstacle and not too obliquely, which 
would not at all answer the purpose. When backing is 
adopted by the horse with vicious intentions and contrary 
to the will of his master, it is called "jibbing" and is a most 
unmanageable trick for which the best remedy is patience. 
Punishment never answers as the horse always jibs the 
more. But by quietly waiting till he is tired, the animal 
will generally give up the fight and continne his progress in 
the desired direction. 



118 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 



CHAPTEE XV. 
Seubittj fox ttje b ztexinaxQ ©argecrn. 

|N the hurry and excitement consequent upon sudden 
accident or illness among animals, messengers are fre- 
quently despatched with imperfect reports, and there- 
from much error and inconvenience results. These facts 
may be sufficient excuse for appending a few plain rules to 
be observed in order to avoid the occurrence of untoward 
events, and rather expediate matters towards a favorable if 
not successful issue. 

First. — As far as possible always send a written message. 
Never trust verbal messages to boys or illiterate persons ; 
and let the name and address be legibly inscribed. 

Second. — Send early, that the practitioner may see the 
case before it is aggravated by serious and irrecoverable com- 
plications. 

Jliirdly. — Afford as much information as possible as to 
what has been observed of the symptoms manifested by the 
animal. The practitioner may be greatly assisted in pre- 
paration of remedies to take with him. Never send such a 



THE HORSEOWNER's COMPANION. 119 

message as "You are to come directly, we have a horse (or 
cow) sick." This is a very useless and perplexing state- 
ment. 

Fourthly. — Avoid absolute doctoring the animal for which 
you desire professional opinion. Attend implicitly to the 
instructions received, and success will be more certain. 

Fifthly. — Never withhold information upon matters which 
are calculated to throw light upon the causes, nature, symp- 
toms, etc., of the ailment. Absence of such paralyses the 
hands of skill, and prevents the adoption of proper measures. 

These may admit of some variation under certain circum- 
stances, but in the majority of cases, if carried out properly, 
they will effect more good than is to be expected at the pre- 
sent day in many places, from the utter disregard of system 
which prevails, particularly in agricultural districts. 



CHAPTEE XVI. 
JJonlticss ani 4F0ttt£tttati0ns 



#HEBE is frequently great need of these agents as auxi- 
8 liaries to the treatment of disease which arises among 
^ horses. In contradistinction to the great amount of 



120 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

good which they may be caused to effect, much harm may 
ensue by ignorance or misunderstanding. 

A poultice is employed for two purposes — to apply heat 
and moisture conjointly to a part, or cold and moisture. We 
have therefore warm aud cold poultices. Fomentations, on 
the other hand are always hot. They consist usually of 
water alone, or infusions of some plant whose active prin- 
ciple has some medicinal effect. 

The object in either case is to perpetuate in a part by ex- 
ternal means, either a degree of heat or cold which cannot 
be effected otherwise, in order to promote some desirable 
curative action. To render these means effective, their use 
must be long continued, and the desired temperature main- 
tained as near as possible. A poultice loosely applied, or a 
fomentation imperfectly maintained, produces absolute harm 
by the evaporation and cooling which ensues, and its effects 
upon the internal structures. When parts have been foment- 
ed or poulticed, they should either be dried or protected by 
covering from the atmosphere. 

In the treatment of wounds or abscesses, neglect of these 
precautions produces serious obstructions to the successful 
recovery of the case, and the medical attendant too frequent- 
ly incurs undeserved censure. 

Fomentations are very serviceable to the horse in all re- 
cent external inflammations, and it is astonishing how much 
may be done by a careful groom with warm water alone 
and a good sized sponge. Sometimes by means of an elastic 
tube and a stop cock, warm water may be conducted in a 
continuous stream over an inflamed part, as in severe wounds 
etc., in which this plan is found wonderfully successful in 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 121 

allaying the irritation, which is so likely to occur in the 
nervous system of the horse. A vessel of warm water is 
placed above the level of the horse's back and a small India 
rubber tube leads from it to a sponge fixed above the part 
from which the water runs as fast as it is overfilled. It is 
a plan easily carried out by any person of ordinary in- 
genuity. 

Lotions are applied by means of coarse cloth bandages, 
if used to the legs ; or by a piece of cloth tied over the part, 
if to any other surface. 



CHAPTER XVII. 
ill a 5 1 0f3Vtrntiu£6t£ritig ftent^Mea.. 

pHE most common form in which medicine is given to 
the horse is by means of the ball, an oblong mass of 
rather soft consistence, yet tough enough to retain its 
shape and wrapped up in thin paper for that purpose. The 
weight of the ball is from half an ounce to an ounce but 
they may be given _of a larger size if they are made longer 
but not wider. Every groom should know how to give a 
ball. The ordinary, and best way, the horse's tongue is 
drawn out of his mouth on the off or right side, and held 



122 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 

there firmly with the left hand, grasping it as near the root 
as possible, but to a certain extent yielding to the movement 
of the horses head. The ball is then placed between the 
fingers and thumb of the right hand, extended in a wedge- 
like form, so as to pass as far down the swallow as possible. 
The hand, in this form, with the arm bared to the shoulder 
is carried over the root of the tongue till it feels the impedi- 
ment caused by the contraction of the swallow, when the 
fingers leave the ball there, and the hand is withdrawn quick- 
ly but smoothly, while at the same moment the tongue is 
released and the head is held up till the ball is seen to pass 
down the gullet in the left side of the neck, after which the 
head may be released. The horse may be turned round in 
his stall which prevents his backing away from the groom. 
Balls should be recently made as they soon spoil not only 
losing their strength but becoming so hard as to be almost 
insoluble in the stomach, and frequently passing through 
the bowels nearly as they went into the mouth. They are 
also liable to stick in the gullet. If ammonia or any other 
strong stimulant is given in this way the horse's stomach 
should not be quite empty, but should have a little gruel or 
water just before, for if this be put off till afterwards the 
nauseous taste of the ball almost always prevents his drink- 
ing. When arsenic forms the principal ingredient of the 
ball, it should be given soon after a feed of corn or 
a quart or two of gruel. 

The administration of a Drench is a much more trouble- 
some affair than the giving of a ball. In almost all cases 
more or less of the dose is wasted. Sometimes, however, 
the liquid medicine is preferable, as in colic or gripes, when 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 123 



the urgent nature of the symptoms demands a rapidly acting 
remedy, which a ball from its requiring time to dissolve is 
not. Besides this a ball cannot contain any of the spirituous 
cordials. The best instrument for giving a drench is the 
horn of the ox, cut obliquely so as to form a spout. In giv- 
ing a drench the tongue is held in the same way, but the 
head must be more elevated. The drench is then poured 
carefully into the throat, after which the tongue is released, 
but the head still kept up until all is swallowed. 

Physicing^ or the giving of opening medicines is necessary 
in many diseases. In all cases the horse should be pre- 
pared by bran mashes given for two or three nights so as to 
render the bowels loose and thus allow the dose to act without 
undue forcing of the compacted faeces backwards. If physic 
is given without this softening process, the stomach and- 
bowels pour out a large secretion of fluid which is forced 
back and met by a solid obstacle which it takes a long time 
to overcome, and during that time the irritating purge is 
acting upon the lining membrane, often producing excessive 
inflammation. Purging physic is generally given in the 
middle of the day, after which the horse should remain in 
the stable and have chilled water as often as he will drink 
it with bran mashes. By the next morning he will be ready 
to be walked out for an hour, which will set the bowels to 
act if they have not already begun. The tail may be tied 
up to keep it clean. The horse should be warmly clothed, 
and if the physic does not act with an hour's walk, he may 
be gently trotted for a short distance, and then taken home. 
If still obstinate he may be exercised again in the afternoon. 
As soon as the physic operates pretty freely, the 



124 THE HORSEOWNERS COMPANION. 

horse is to be taken into his stable, and not stirred out again 
under any pretence whatever, for forty-eight hours after it 
has "set" or ceased acting. 

When the purging has ceased, the mashes may be con- 
tinued for twenty-four hours, with a little corn added to 
them and a moderate quantity of hay. The water during 
the whole time should be in small quantities and chilled. 
The clothing should be rather warmer than usual, taking 
great care to avoid all draughts. Every horse requires at 
least three days rest for a dose of physic in order to avoid 
risk of mischief. 

The mode of giving a Clyster is rendered simple enough, 
because a pump and tube are expressly made for the pur- 
pose. The attendant has only to pass the greased end of 
the tube carefully into the rectum for about eight or nine 
inches and then pump the liquid up until a sufficient quantity 
is given. From a gallon to six quarts is the average quantity, 
but in colic, a much larger amount is required. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
Eeiripes. 

^jgfjjpE append a few recipes which will be found valuable 
' - - to persons living at a distance from a regular veterin- 
ary practitioner, but when such a one is to be pro- 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 125 

cured, we do not advocate the medical treatment of horses 
by inexperienced persons. 

ALTERATIVES. 

Alteratives are intended to produce a fresh and healthy- 
action instead of the previous disordered function. The 
precise mode of action is not well understood and it is only 
by the results that the utility of these medicines is recog- 
nized. 

IN DISORDERED STATES OP THE SKIN. 

Emetic Tarter, 5 ounces 

Powdered Ginger 3 

Opium, 1 ounce 

Syrup enough to form 16 balls, one to be given every 
night. 

SIMPLY COOLING. 

Barbadoes Aloes, 1 ounce 

Ginger, y z ounce 

Castile Soap, \y % ounces 

Syrup enough to form 6 balls ; one to be given every 



morning. 



ALTERATIVE BALL FOR GENERAL USE. 

Black Sulphuret of Antimony, 2 to 4 drachms 
Sulphur, 2 

Nitre, 2 

Linseed meal and water enough to form a ball. 



126 THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 



IN DEBILITY OF STOMACH. 

Calomel, 1 scruple 

Aloes, 1 drachm 

Cas car ilia, 1 •< ) 

Gentian, 1 >■ In powder. 

Ginger, 1 " ) 

Castile Soap 3 drachms 

Syrup enough to make a ball which may be given twice 

a week, or every other night. 

ANODYNES. 

These medicines are given rather to soothe the general 
nervous system or to stop diarrhea, or sometimes to relieve 
spasm, as in colic or tetanus. Opium is the chief anodyne 
used and may be employed in large doses. 

IN COLIC. 

Powdered Opium, K to 2 drachms 

Castile Soap, 2 

Camphor, 2 

Ginger, \y y " 

Make into a ball wdth liquorice powder and treacle, and 

give every hour while the pain lasts, Keep it from the air. 



ANODYNE DRENCH IN ORDINARY DIARRHEA. 

Gum Arabic, 2 ounces 

Boiling Water 1 pint 
Dissolve and then add 

Oil of Pepperment, 25 drops 

Tincture of Opium, % ounce 
Mix and give if necessary night and morning. 



THE HORSEOWtfERS' COMPANION, 127 



IN CHRONIC DIARRHEA. 

Powdered Chalk and Gum- Arabic, each, 1 ounce 
Tincture Opium, y z " 

Pepperment Water, 10 ounces 

Mix and give night and morning. 

APERIENTS 

Aperients, or purges, are those medicines which quicken 
or increase the evacuations from the bowels, varying, how- 
ever a good deal in their mode of operation. Some act 
merely by exciting the muscular coat of the bowels to con- 
tract ; others cause an immense watery discharge, which, as 
it were, washes out the bowels ; while a third set combine 
the action of the two. Purgations are classed according to 
the degree of their effect, into laxatives acting mildly, and 
drastic purges acting very severely. 

ORDINARY PHYSIC BALL. 

Barbadoes Aloes, 3 to 8 drachms 

Hard Soap, 4 

Ginger, 1 drachm 

Dissolve in as small a quantity of boiling water as will 

suffi.ee ; then slowly evaporate to the proper consistence, by 

which means griping is avoided. 

PURGING BALLS WITH CALOMEL. 

Barbadoes Aloes, 3 to 6 drachms 

Calomel, K to 1 drachm 

Ehubard, 1 to 2 drachms 

Ginger, H to 1 drachm 

Castile Soap, 8 drachms 

Mix as in the above. 



128 the horseowner's companion. 



A MILD OPENING DRENCH. 

Castor Oil, 4 ounces 

Epsom Salts, 3 to 5 

Gruel, 2 pints 
Mix. 

A MILD LAXATIVE. 



Castor Oil, 4 ounces 

Linseed Oil, 4 " 

Warm water or Gruel, 1 pint 

Mix. 



ANOTHER PHYSIC BALL. 

Barbadoes Aloes, 3 to 8 drachms 

Carbonate of Soda, K drachm 

Aromatic Powder, 1 

Oil of Caraway 12 drops 

Dissolve as above and then add the oil. 



PURGATIVE CLYSTER. 

Common Salt, 4 to 8 ounces 

Warm Water, 8 to 16 pints 

ASTRINGENTS. 

Astringents are supposed to produce contraction in all 
living animal tissues with which they come in con- 
tact, whether in the interior or exterior of the body. They 



THE HORSEOWNERS* COMPANION. 129 

are divided into astringents administered by the mouth and 
those applied locally to external ulcerated or wounded sur- 
faces. 

FOR DIABETES OR TOO PROFUSE STALING. 



Opium, X drachm 

Powdered Ginger, 2 drachms 

Oakbark, powdered, 1 ounce 

Camonile Tea, , 1 pint 

Alum, as much as the tea will dissolve 

Mix for a drench. 



EXTERNAL ASTRINGENT POWDER FOR ULCERATED SURFACES, 





Powdered Alum, 4 ounces 
Armenian Bole, 1 ounce 




ANOTHER. 




White Vitriol, 4 ounces 
Oxide of Zinc, 1 ounce 


Mix. 






ASTRINGENT LOTION. 


Mix. 


Sulphate of Copper, 1 to 2 drachms 
Water, % pint 




ASTRINGENT OINTMENT FOR SORE HEELS, 




Superacetate of Lead, 1 drachm 
Lard, 1 ounce 


Mix. 





130 THE HORSEOWNER'S COMPANION. 



BLISTERS. 

Blisters are applications which inflame the skin, and 
cause watery bladders to form upon it ; they consist of two 
kinds, one, for the sake of counter-irritation, by which the 
original disease is lessened, in consequence of the establish- 
ment of this irritation at a short distance from it. The 
other is commonly called "sireating ;" by which a discharge 
is obtained from the vessels of the part itself, which are in 
that way relieved and unloaded ; there is also a subsequent 
process of absorption in consequence of the peculiar stimulus 
applied. 

MILI> BLISTER OINTMENT (COUNTER-IRRITANT) . 

Hogs Lard 3 ounces 

Turpentine, 1 ounce 

Powdered Cantharides, 6 drachms. 
Mix and spread. 

.._- STRONGER BLISTER OINTMENT. 

Spirits of Turpentine, 1 ounce 

Sulpuhric Acid, 2 drachms 

Mix carefully in an open place and add 

Hogs Lard, 4 ounces 

Powdered Cantharidesj 1 ounce 

Mix and spread. 

SWEATING BLISTER. 

Mercurial Ointment, 2 ounces 

Oil of Origanum, 2 drachms 

Corrosive Sublimate, 2 drachms 

Cantharadies, powdered. 3 drachms 
Mix and rub in with the hand. 



THE HORSEOWNEKS COMPANION. 13 1 



STRONG SWEATING BLISTER FOR SPLINTS, RING-BONES, 

SPAVINS ETC 

Biniodide of Mercury, 1 to ly z drachms 

Lard, 1 ounce 

To be well rubbed in the legs after cutting the hair short, 

and followed by the daily use of arnica, in the shape of a 

wash, as follows, to be painted on with a brush : — 

Tincture of Arnica 1 ounce 

Water, 12 to 13 ounces 

Mix. 

CAUSTICS. 

Caustics are substances which burn away the living tissues 
of the body by the decomposition of their elements. They 
are of two kinds, viz., first, the actual cautery or firing iron, 
and secondly the potential cautery by means of mineral 
caustics, such as potash, lunar caustic, etc. 

Firing is used extensively upon horses for inflammation 
of the legs, and should be performed only by an experienced 
hand. Some of the strong solid caustics are as follows : — 

Luner- Caustic, or nitrate of silver, very valuable to the 
• veterinary surgeon and constantly used to apply to profuse 
granulations. 

Sulphate of Copper, almost equally useful but not so 
strong as lunar-caustic ; it may be well rubbed in to all high 
granulations, as in broken knees and similar growths. 

Corrosive Sublimate in powder, which acts most energeti- 
cally upon warty growths but should be used with great 



132 THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 

care. It may safely be applied to small surfaces but never 
to large ones without a regular practitioner. 

Among the mild solid caustics are the following. They 
are preferable to the stronger ones if they can be made to 
answer the purpose. 

1st. Verdigris, either in powder or mixed with lard as an 
ointment in the proportion of 1 to 3. 

2nd. Red precipitate, mixed as above. 

3rd. Burnt alum, used dry. 

4th. Powdered white sugar. 

CORDIALS. 

When a warm temporary stimulent is needed, to augment 
the strength and spirits, and relieve the animal from the 
effects of over-exertion, give a quart of good ale warmed, 
with plenty of powdered ginger. 

EXPECTORANTS. 

Expectorants excite or promote discharge of mucous 
from the lining membrane of the bronchial tubes, thereby 
relieving inflammation and allaying cough. 

FOR ORDINARY COUGH. 

Gum Ammoniacum, K ounce 

Powdered Squills, 1 drachm 

Castile Soap, 2 drachm 
Honey enough to form a ball. 

FOR OLD STANDING COUGH ( STOMACH.) 

Assafaetida, 3 drachms 

Galbanum, 1 drachm 

Carbonate of Ammonia, Yt. 

Ginger, % " 
Honey enounh to form a ball. 



THE HORSEOWNERS' COMPANION. 133 



FOR FEVER. 

Nitre, 4 ounces 

Camphor, y z drachm 

Calomel, , 1 scruple 

Opium, 1 " 

Linseed meal and water enough to form a ball. 

COOLING LOTION FOR INFLAMED LEGS OR FOR GALLED 
SHOULDERS OR BACK. 

Sal Ammoniac, 1 ounce 

Vinegar, ■ 4 ounces 

Spirits of Wine, 2 ounces 

Tincture of Arnica, 2 drachms 

Water, y z pint 

Mix and apply with a bandage. 

The above hints are, we repeat, only for the benefit of such 
persons as are unable by reason of distance to call upon a 
veterinary surgeon. The administration of medicine by in- 
experienced hands is always attended with danger and con- 
sequent risk, and such persons should proceed with the great- 
est caution and only in cases of necessity. The great 
principle of prevention in disease, will be found to pay a 
hundred per cent for the practicing. 



Advantages of Proper Food 

Age 

Alteratives 

Anodynes 

Aperients 

Arabian Courser 

Astringents 

Bandages 

Bedding 

Binds 

Blisters ,. 

Blood Spavin 

Body Brush 

Bone Spavin 

Bran 

" Mashes 
Bribery in Horse-dealing 
Broken Knees 

" Winded ness 
Brushing 
Carriage 
Caustics 

Certificate of Soundness 
Cleanliness 
Clipping 
Clothing 
Coach Horse 
Condition 
Cordials 
Corns 
Curb 

Curry Comb 
Cutting 
Dealers, tricks of low and 3ii 

able 
Digestion 
Dray Horse 
Dressing 
English Racer 
Errors to be avoided 
Exer cise 
Expectorant 
Farmers Horse 
Feeding 

" after a Walk 

" Regularity in 
Feet, Groggy 
" management of the 



INDEX. 




PAGE. 


PAGE. 


59 


Feet, pumiced 


48 


30 


" stopping for the 


45 


124 


Food, advantages of proper 


59 


125 


" vegetable 


67 


126 


Foot ointment 


45 


18 


" Pickers 


90 


127 


Galls, Harness 


107 


93 


" Saddle 


107 


94 


Glanders 


104 


49 


Grain, variety of 


57 


129 


Grass, turning to 


67 


103 


Groggy Feet 


47 


89 


Grooming 


89 


103 


Gruel 


75 


64 


Harness Galls 


107 


65 


Hay 


62 


25 


" tea 


72 


109 


Heavy Draught Horse 


16 


104 


Horse, Coach 


15 


46 


44 Dray 


16 


35 


44 Farmers 


14 


130 


" Heavy Draught 


16 


26 


" Race 


16 


86 


Horse-dealing, Bribery in 


25 


95 


Inflammation 


105 


94 


Kinds of Horses 


14 


16 


Knees, Broken 


109 


53 


Legs, washing the 


90 


131 


Lighting of Stables 


87 


104 


Linseed 


65 


104 


Loose Boxes 


99 


89 


Management 


10 


46 


44 Stable 


83 


sreput- 


44 of the feet 


39 


20 


Mashes 


74 


69 


Mouth, the 


37 


16 


Nails 


44 


89 


Oats 


62 


18 


Ointment, foot 


45 


69 


Pace 


32 


51 


Pony 


18 


131 


Precautions to be observed 


26 


14 


Pricks 


49 


56 


Pumiced feet 


48 


71 


Race Horse 


16 


69 


Regularity in Feeding 


59 


47 


Ring-bone 


48 


39 


Rubber, the 


89 



INDEX. 



135 



Running away 
Saddle Galls 
Shape of Shoes 
Sheltie, the 
Shoes 

" shape of 
Shyers ■ 
Singeing 
Size 

Soundness, certificate of 
Spavin, Blood 

" Bone 
Splints 
Stable Drain 

" floor 

" general arrangement 



AGE. 

116 
107 
45 
18 
44 
45 

115 
95 
29 
26 

103 

103 

105 
99 



97 



PAGE. 

Stable, lighting of 87 

" management 83 

" Temperature 88 

Stopping for feet 46 

Straw 62 

Temper 34 

Temperature of the Stable 88 

Thorough-bred 18 
Tricks of low & disreputable dealers 20 

Turning to grass 67 

Vegetable food 67 

Walk, feeding after a 71 

Warranty 25 

Washing the legs 91 

Water 77 

Wisp, the 89 




Everybody's Friend ; Or L,B RARY of CONGRESS 

information on almost e ve ) ///§ ||| |/§ //||| |f|fj /|//f r//// um | , , „,„ „„„ ai ,.., 

Guide to Beauty; Parlo: 
bling; -Spiritualism Expo 
tions ; Poetical Quotatioi 
tor the Housekeeper; R; 
make all kinds of Liquoi 
How to make all kinds ot ru, 
Dyes, etc.; Historical Facts; (Golden Maxims; 
etc., etc. Price 215 Cents. 

French, in a Fortnight, without a Master. A royal road to 
a -knowledge of the Parisian Tongue, h\ fifteen easy Lessons 

* on Accent, Grammar and Pronunciation. Intended IV r the use 
of persons studying the language without a teacher. Price 15 
Cents. 

How to Choose a Wife. Perhaps there is hardly any other sub- 
ject on which young men indulge so much innocent pleasantry and 
harmless mirth, and yet there is scarcely another subject of so 
much importance to them as the choice of a wife. If you would 
be happy in the lady of your choice, consult the pages of this 
little work. Price 15 Cents. 

How to Choose a Husband. By the author of "How to Choose 
a Wife." There must of necessity be some similarity between 
how to choose a wife and how to choose a husband, owing to 
the close affinity of the two subjects; but the author has avoided 
sameness as far as it could be done consistently with fidelity to 
his theme. Mills and husband- seekers, are warned to avoid the 
perusal of this book. Price 15 Cents. 

The HoHday Guest. A collection of Stories, Conjuring Tricks, 
Games, Tableaux, Amusements for winter evenings, Amnring 
Experiments, Card Tricks, Puzzles, Enigmas, Charades, Conun- 
drums, etc., etc. Thirty-seven Illustrations. Price 10 Cents. 

The Horseowners' Companion; or, Hints on the Selection, 
Purchase, and General Management of the Horse. How to avoid 
Disease and save Money. With many useful hints and cautions to 
be noted and remembered by purchasers. . A complete Guide for 
the treatment of Horses in Health, and all Diseases to which that 
noblest of animals is heir. Price 50 Cents. 

Either of the above will be sent by mail, postage paid, on receipt 
of price, by 

HAPPY HOURS COMPANY, 22 Ann Street, New York. 



